What are Intractable Conflicts? | Beyond Intractability

What are Intractable Conflicts? Beyond Intractability participants have thought and written a lot about the nature of intractability. Here are some of their thoughts about it, focusing on different kinds of intractable conflicts, how intractable conflicts are different from more negotiable or "tractable" disputes and how such difficult conflicts can be approached.
The Nature and Types of Intractable Conflicts
	Peter Coleman discusses different types of intractable conflicts.
	Pamela Aall, of the U.S. Institute of Peace, discusses the disagreement among scholars and practitioners regarding a definition of "intractability."
	Peter Coleman explains how intractable conflicts are different from simpler "tractable" conflicts.
	Peter Coleman describes five different metaphors or ways of defining what intractable conflicts are all about.
Approaches to Intractable Conflicts
	Peter Coleman describes the importance of long-term thinking when it comes to intractable conflicts.
	Peter Coleman discusses how some aspects of an intractable conflict might be transformed while others are not.
Case Examples of Intractable Conflicts
	Peter Coleman describes an abortion dialogue in which the parties came to respect each other and protect one another, but they were still very polarized on the abortion issue.

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The only final good is the quality of human life.

- Kenneth Boulding

When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers.

- Colleen C. Barrett

When men talk about defense, they always claim to be protecting women and children, but they never ask the women and children what they think.

- Pat Schroeder

Peace is an environment where conflicts are resolved without violence, where people are free, not exploited, living so they can grow to their full potential.

- Gerard Vanderhaar

We have a common oppressor, a common exploiter and a common discriminator. But once we realize that we have a common enemy, then we can unite--on the basis of what we have in common.

- Malcolm X

The first essential characteristics of nonviolent action is that it is creative.

- Hildegarde Goss-Mayr

Legitimacy is like the air we breathe; we only notice it when it is not there.

- Kenneth Boulding

Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.

- Albert Einstein

When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers.

- Colleen C. Barrett

It belongs to the very substance of nonviolence never to destroy or damage another person's feeling of self worth, even an opponent's. We all need, constantly, an advance of trust and affirmation.

- Bernard Haring

Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak...Non-violence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win.

- Cesar Chavez

Segregation was wrong when it was forced by white people, and I believe it is still wrong when it is requested by black people.

- Coretta Scott King

I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.

- Abraham Lincoln

Peace we want because there is another war to fight against poverty, disease and ignorance.

- Indira Gandhi

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

- Nelson Mandela