BI ArticleReversing or Better Yet, Avoiding, Destructive Escalation
A short, readable summary (with lots of links) to what we collectively know about strategies for controlling destructive escalation. (Part I)
Parent (Previous) Guide Folders
Constructive Conflict Guide >
Civic Knowledge and Skills That We All Need to Constructively Handle Intractable Conflict
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BI Article
Reversing or Better Yet, Avoiding, Destructive Escalation
A short, readable summary (with lots of links) to what we collectively know about strategies for controlling destructive escalation. (Part I)
BI Article
More Ways to Turn Down the Heat
The second part of our short, readable summary (with lots of links) to what we collectively know about strategies for controlling destructive escalation.
BI Article
7 More Ways to Turn Down the Heat
Figuring out how to avoid destructive escalation, when possible, and reversing it once it has started, is of the highest importance. The good news, though, is that there are many ways to do that.
BI Article
Peter Coleman on The Way Out of Polarization and Intractability
Polarization is destroying our relationships with friends and family. Peter Coleman has a way to fix that -- and possibly fix our society as well.
BI Article
Reversing Polarization and Escalation - Part 1
A discussion of eight things that disputants can do to avoid or reverse destructive escalation and polarization.
BI Article
Reversing Polarization and Escalation - Part 2
A second in a series, many more things that disputants and third parties can do to avoid or reverse destructive escalation and polarization.
BI Article
Don't Take the "Hate Bait!"
Returning hate with hate hurts everyone. Much better to return hate with inquiry and respect (even if it isn't deserved), and try to defuse the anger before it explodes.
BI Article
Meeting the Authoritarian Populism Challenge 2: "Hate Bait," Framing, and Escalation
Learn about things small groups can do to push back against "hate bait," distraction-based propaganda, scapegoating, and other conflict problems.
BI Article
Limit "Us-vs-Them" Language, Thinking and Action
This video explains why and how to think of and treat "the other" as a partner, not as an adversary.
BI Article
Counter Hate and Malevolence - Part 2
The second of two videos, this focuses on how to respond constructively to people who (profess to) hate you.
BI Article
Counter Hate and Malevolence - Part 1
Hate is a cause and consequence of escalation that almost always makes conflicts worse. Don't help it along!
BI Article
Promoting De-Escalation -- Part 1: Conciliatory Gestures
Conciliatory gestures are a way to break down stereotypes and start de-escalating conflicts with surprise overtures of kindness.
BI Article
Promote Escalation Awareness
This video shows what escalation is, why it is so damaging, and how to protect yourself from its most destructive consequences.
BI Audio/Video
Talking Intractability, Polarization and Ways Out with Peter Coleman
Peter Coleman talks about his years' long study of intractability, focusing on empirical research and physical science concepts such as attractors to find better ways of dealing with these very difficult conflicts.
BI Article
(When) Should We Escalate?
Is continued escalation of the conflicts over police brutality and systemic racism beneficial---or not?
BI Article
Representative Derek Kilmer on the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and De-polarization
Guy and Heidi Burgess talked with Rep. Derek Kilmer on how to break down polarization in Congress and in society in order to actually solve problems collaboratively. There is much to learn and copy here!
Subsidiary Folders
Rumor Control and Crisis Response
Rumors fly quickly during crises and responders need to be able to sort out what is true, what not, and what is most needed immediately, both to control the situation and prevent further harm. A lot needs to happen quickly and carefully, so as to not make the situation worse.
Subsidiary Folders
De-escalation
De-escalation can take place through de-escalatory language (such as I messages and active listening) and de-escalatory behaviors such as conciliatory gestures, gradual reduction in tension (GRIT) and other measures designed to break negative stereotypes and build confidence between groups.
Subsidiary Folders
Cooling Off / Anger Management
This section looks at a variety of strategies that can be used by disputants and/or third parties to cool down heated situations and calm anger.
Subsidiary Folders
Confidence Building
Distrust is a common problem in intractable conflicts. Confidence building measures are ways to help parties rebuild trust to the point that the might be able to successfully negotiate an agreement and/or work together to solve a joint problem.
Related Folders
Polarization and Hyper-Polarization
Polarization usually happens along with escalation--causing people to move towards the extremes (the "poles") of each side, leaving fewer and fewer people in the middle. Guy and Heidi Burgess write about "hyper-polarization," which is an extreme form of polarization that is all encompassing -- it involves not only polarization on issues, but also what is widely called "affective polarization," the fear of and hatred of the other side.
Related Folders
De-escalators
De-escalators help us diffuse our escalated and hyperpolarized politics by working to replace anger, hostility, us-vs-them demonization, and, sometimes, violence with a willingness to peacefully and constructively engage with the other side.
Related Folders
Escalation Educators
Escalation Educators expose the dangers posed by conflict escalation and closely linked hyper-polarization, and help people in all walks of life learn the skills needed to avoid escalation and polarization in the first place, and if it is too late for that, reverse it and start to heal its wounds.
BI Article
Hyper-Polarization, the Pandemic, and the Need for a "Lifeboat Ethic"
The many existential threats we face are requiring us to put aside our differences and learn how to work together.
BI Article
The Biden Transition -- Saving Democracy and Biden's Challenge to the Conflict and Peacebuilding Fields
President Biden's inauguration was a hopeful occasion which challenged us all to find ways of defusing our hyper-polarized politics. Now, as our politics becomes even more divisive, the challenge remains.
Colleague Activities
How to Avoid High Conflict
Yascha Monk talks with Amanda Ripley about "high conflict" in which the focus becomes on "the other," instead of the substantive issue in dispute. Amanda, here, discusses "the way out."
Colleague Activities
The U.S. is Heading Toward a Second Civil War. Here Is How We Avoid It
From Peter Coleman, a colleague with a long history of research into the problems posed by complexity and intractability, thoughts about how to escape our current predicament.
Colleague Activities
Civic Health Projects -- Short, simple interventions can reduce partisan animosity (yay)! So, what comes next?
Ninety ideas for correcting inaccurate stereotypes, appealing to common identities, role modeling, strengthening political leadership, highlighting the threat, modifying social media, etc.
Colleague Activities
Moving Beyond Partisan Polarization: Some First Steps
From Essential Partners: 5 steps (with detailed questions for each) to have illuminating conversations with yourself, allies, and others to reduce polarization.
News and Opinion
7 Ideas to Reduce Political Polarization. And Save America from Itself.
Sensible things that we could all do to actually help limit the polarization that we complain so much about.
News and Opinion
U.S. Supreme Court Justices Join Governors To Discuss Overcoming Political Division
Hopeful news about prominent government officials actively working to try to defuse hyperpolarization.