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Complexity: Additional Resources
These references supplement the Knowledge Base Essay, Complexity.
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Additional Explanations of the Underlying Concepts:
Online (Web) Sources
Weeks, Michael R. "Chaos, Complexity and Conflict." , 1900 Available at: http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/cc/Weeks.html [Backup Link] Abstract: Developments in complexity theory provide new opportunities for viewing non-linear systems that operate under high levels of certainty. Models of warfare and conflict meet these conditions and are suitable for these new techniques. A model of conflict is adapted from Colonel John Warden s theory of the air campaign that outlines conflict as a complex adaptive system. The model incorporates the inherent interdependence between the participants in any conflict. Practical applications of the model for the decision maker are presented and discussed. Allenby, Braden. "Complexity and Conflict." , 1900 Available at: Primary Link [Backup Link] This aritle discusses the difficutlites of trying to get parties to cooperate and how this often complicates comflicts. Clemens, Walter C. "Complexity Theory as a Tool for Understanding and Coping with Ethnic Conflict and Development Issues in Post-Soviet Eurasia." International Journal of Peace Studies, Vol. 7, No. 2 , 2002 Available at: http://www.gmu.edu/academic/ijps/vol7-2/Clemens.htm [Backup Link] Some units of post-Soviet Eurasia have avoided or minimized ethnic conflict; others have suffered from internal ethnic strife or ethnically inspired wars with neighboring states; and still others have managed since 1991 to repress ethnic strife. Jack Snyder argues that democratization is the key variable that accounts for these divergent outcomes. Lucas, Chris and Yuri Milov. "Conflicts as Emergent Phenomena of Complexity." , 1997 Available at: http://www.calresco.org/group/conflict.htm [Backup Link] Complexity Theory as a model of interacting parts applicable to social situations is introduced. The application of such ideas to conflict situations is considered and new paradigms are suggested with which to view conflict resolution within an evolutionary social context. Glaser, Tanya. "Negotiating in a Complex World--Summary." University of Colorado-Boulder: Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado-Boulder: Conflict Research Consortium, 1900. Available at: Link This summary covers an article by Michael Watkins, from the Negotiation Journal. In the article, Watkins argues that negotiations are innately complex and that many current models of negotiation are overly simple, sterile, or static, and therefore inadequate and unhelpful for practitioners. Watkins offers ten propositions that describe the key elements of negotiation complexity, and suggest ways of dealing with that complexity.
Offline (Print) Sources
Sandole, Dennis J. D. Capturing the Complexity of Conflict: Dealing With Violent Ethnic Conflicts in the Post-Cold War Era. Pinter Pub Ltd, April 1, 2000. This book explores the terrain of ethnic conflicts in the post-cold war era, focusing specifically on the causes, conditions, and perpetuation of violent conflict and war. Watkins, Michael. "Negotiating in a Complex World." 15:3, 1999. The author argues that negotiations are innately complex and many of the current models are overly simple and therefore inadequate and unhelpful to practitioners. He goes on to propose ten key elements that describe how to effectively deal with the complexity of negotiation. Primary Link Saunders, Harold H. "Prenegotiation and Circum-Negotiation: Arenas of the Multilevel Peace Process." Turbulent Peace: The Challenges of Managing International Conflict , 2001. "Saunders argues that the peace process includes more than just official negotiations. 'Peace requires a process of building constructive relationships in a civil society not just negotiating, signing, and ratifying a formal agreement.'[p. 420] Saunders describes the different arenas in which the peace process is pursued, and describes the basic phases of the peace process." Primary Link [Backup Link] Axelrod, Robert. The Complexity of Cooperation: Agent-Based Models of Competition and Collaboration. Princeton University Press, 1998. "This collection [of essays] serves as an introductory text on complexity theory and computer modeling in the social sciences and as an overview of the current state of the art in the field." -Publisher
Examples Illustrating this Topic:
Online (Web) Sources
Lucas, Chris. "Global Power Networks." , 1900 Available at: http://www.calresco.org/lucas/global.htm [Backup Link] This article examines the effects of power on overall social fitness, and looks at how our power behaviors could be changed by complexity thinking to generate fitter political and economic structures.
Offline (Print) Sources
Herding Cats: Multiparty Mediation in a Complex World. Herndon, VA: USIP Press, January 1, 2000. This major edited volume presents a broad look at the process of international mediation and the significant amount of complexity the process presents. The essays and case studies in this volume were written by experienced international mediators and include a combination of straightforward analysis and engaging narratives. Watkins, Michael. "Negotiating in a Complex World." Negotiation Journal 15:3, July 1, 1999. "Drawing on the literatures on negotiation and conflict resolution as well as research on international diplomacy, the author proposes a framework for understanding complexity in real-world negotiations. Rejecting models of the process that are simplistic, sterile, or static, he argues that complexity is inherent in negotiation. In ten propositions, he lays out key dimensions of complexity and ways that skilled negotiators can manage it."--Negotiation Journal
Audiovisual Materials on this Topic:
Offline (Print) Sources
Mexico: Dead or Alive . Directed and/or Produced by: Davis, Mary Ellen. First Run Icarus Films. 1996. This film examines the complexities involved in the Mexican conflict. It focuses on issues of human rights and democratization. Primary Link [Backup Link] The Strange Demise of Jim Crow . Directed and/or Produced by: Berman, David. California Newsreel. 1998. This film depicts the complexities that civil rights groups faced in their efforts to desegregate the South. Primary Link [Backup Link] War and Peace in Ireland . Directed and/or Produced by: MacCaig, Arthur. First Run Icarus Films. 1998. This film helps the viewer conceptualize the complex issues involved in the conflict in Northern Ireland. Primary Link [Backup Link] |
