The Life Cycle of Conflict

 Conflict is as old as nature.
It is an inherent
phenomenon in the existence of mankind.
 This is premised on the gregarious nature

of man which often ipso facto culminates
into misunderstanding or quarrel in social
relations brought about by differences in
preferences, self interest, divergent ideas,
claims and aspirations.
THE LIFE CYCLE OF

CONFLICT
Before we look at the stages of
conflict, it will be pertinent to first
conceptualize peace and conflict.
This is premised on the fact that,
our knowledge of peace will serve

as a pedestal for understanding
conflict as well as the life cycle of
conflict.
 In peace and conflict studies, there is tendency of
conceptualizing peace as the converse of war.
 Peace is the absence of war, and by logical

extension, war is the absence of peace.
 This way of conceptualizing peace is however

inadequate of understanding the nature of peace
and conflict
Conception and Misconception of

Peace.
It is necessary to note that
there can be peace even when
there is war
It will be wrong to classify a
country experiencing
pervasive structural violence
as peaceful
CONCEPTUALISING PEACE & CONFLICT
 What is peace?
 Peace is a process involving activities that

are directly or indirectly linked to
increasing development and reducing
conflict, both within specific societies and
in the wider international community.
 What is Conflict?
 The word conflict originated from the Latin word
“conflictus” meaning “struck together”.
 Omotosho, (2004) argued that, a conflictual

situation crops up when two or more parties
could not agree on an issue.
 The parties involved may not necessarily be

government or nations.

Conflict can be subsumed in a
situation in which two parties are
pursuing incompatible goals which
could be as a result of each of the
parties laying claim to things like
resources, status, etcetera that are
scarce and each of the parties tries to
assert its authority.
 There are various types of conflict viz:
community conflict, state and inter-state
conflict, national conflict, international
conflict etc. For analytical simplicity the
above can be grouped into two: local and
international conflict. It is necessary to
stress that aside the typology of conflict,
conflict also varies according to the degree
of intensity and magnitude.
 There are various types of conflict viz:
community conflict, state and inter-state
conflict, national conflict, international conflict
etc. For analytical simplicity the above can be
grouped into two: local and international
conflict. It is necessary to stress that aside the
typology of conflict, conflict also varies
according to the degree of intensity and
magnitude.
Conflict can either be constructive
(positive) or destructive (negative).
Conflict can be used constructively to
explore different solution to a

problem.
It can as well be destructive and used
mainly to inflict injuries on, neutralize

or subvert the aspirations of
opponent.
 There are three related dimensions:
 The first is the distant past, which may span back to
centuries or decades.
 The second may be the immediate past context,
which shows the deterioration in the relationship

among parties.
 If the analysis is of violent conflict, then the third
dimension which is the immediate events including

the trigger that sparked the violence.
Background and Context of

Conflict
 STAGE 1-PEACEFUL STABLE SITUATION. -
High degree of social cohesion characterized by a near complete
absence of violence as a way to conduct domestic politics.
 STAGE 2- TENSION SITUATION. - the political

tension level where structural stability becomes
endangered. A conflict begins to build up as the
differences between the conflicting parties become
clearly defined as people begin to take sides openly.
Stages or Life Circle of

Conflict
 STAGE 3- EARLY GROWTH. - If there are
no existing ways of dealing with social
tensions and divisions, the conflict grows
worse. The two sides express Stern
hostility, so that “us” and “them” now
become” the enemy” to each other. Each
side increases the demands and its sense of
grievances swells. Each side looks for allies
from outside the conflict area, for moral,
financial and physical support.
STAGE 4 – DEADLOCK. Now the two sides are
openly at war. Each side perceives the other as
the aggressor on who blame for the conflict falls.
Each side regards itself as having the just cause.
Three positive situations can now be reached:
 (a) a stalemate with each side matching the other

in violence
 (b) a surge of violence on one side,
 (c) Exhaustion of strength and resources on both

sides (this is called a “mutually hunting
stalemate”)
 STAGE 5- LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT.
If the conflict snowballs to a stage where
both sides are unhappy with the state of
things – many losses, dwindling resources,
no achievable result” – they may enter into
ceasefire agreements. These provide a
pause, which is often used for resting and
regrouping before embarking on the
earlier stage again.
 STAGE 6- SETTLING THE DISPUTE OR
RESOLVING THE CONFLICT. In order
to reach settlement there is need for
compromise, often with bitter arguments
over what the compromise will be. They
set down lead to a solution in which the
two sides can collaborate to establish ways
in which either side is prepared to end
conflict at least for the time being.
 Peaceful Mission
Fact-finding mission to conflict areas and
citizens’s mission to better define the problems.
 Special Envoys
A group of experienced and credible emissaries

may be sent to speak to all parties in the conflict
and explore negotiation route.
 Peace Monitor
Peace/human right groups are there to monitor the

safety of the civilians, and offer recommendation
for improvements.
Conflict resolution /
management
 Problem-solving
Informal discussions with and between disputants,
or those close to them do encourage routes to
conflict resolution.
 Conflict Resolution Institution-building

Identifying and working with local and
international partners and helping them to build
links with international organization and
networks.
 Mobilizing the Media for Conflict Resolution

Training the media to report events responsibly,
and encouraging journalism to focus on the
peace-building initiatives and positive elements
within the conflict process.

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 Conflict is as old as nature.

 This is premised on the gregarious nature

THE LIFE CYCLE OF

our knowledge of peace will serve

 Peace is the absence of war, and by logical

 This way of conceptualizing peace is however

Conception and Misconception of

 Peace is a process involving activities that

 Omotosho, (2004) argued that, a conflictual

 The parties involved may not necessarily be

explore different solution to a

mainly to inflict injuries on, neutralize

which shows the deterioration in the relationship

dimension which is the immediate events including

Background and Context of

 STAGE 2- TENSION SITUATION. - the political

Stages or Life Circle of

 (a) a stalemate with each side matching the other

 (b) a surge of violence on one side,

 (c) Exhaustion of strength and resources on both

A group of experienced and credible emissaries

Peace/human right groups are there to monitor the

 Conflict Resolution Institution-building

 Mobilizing the Media for Conflict Resolution

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