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MGPE-010: Conflict Management, Transformation and Peace Building

By Dr. Balkar Singh   |   Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
Learners enrolled: 158

Human race is engaged in conflict, aggression, warfare, and violence seemingly equate with the human condition since the early days of civilisation. Equally, humans have sought, as long as there has been conflict, to handle conflict effectively by containing or mitigating its negative consequences. This course is an effort to understand some of the major theoretical perspectives of conflict management, conflict transformation and conflict resolution. Since these concepts are very important for our comprehensive understanding that how we can minimize the level and structures of conflicts and to create new avenues of cooperation and compatibility. Conflict management involves the control, but not resolution, of a long-term or deep-rooted conflict. This is the approach taken when complete resolution seems to be impossible, yet something needs to be done. In cases of resolution-resistant or even intractable conflict, it is possible to manage the situation in ways that make it more constructive.  Conflict transformation is different from the other two, because it reflects a better understanding of the nature of conflict itself. Conflict transformation is also a prescriptive concept. It suggests that the destructive consequences of a conflict can be transformed so that self-images, relationships, and social structures improve as the consequence of conflict, instead of being harmed by it. Usually, this involves transforming perceptions of issues, actions, and other people or groups. In this course we will try to learn the nuances of abovementioned three broad concepts through western as well as Non-western throries, perspectives and approaches.


Summary
Course Status : Completed
Course Type : Elective
Duration : 12 weeks
Category :
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit Points : 4
Level : Postgraduate
Start Date : 10 Sep 2022
End Date :
Exam Date :

Page Visits



Course layout

WEEK

TOPICS

 



Week-1

NATURE OF CONFLICTS (i)

Conflict Resolution Mechanisms 

Transcending Incompatibility 

Incompatibility Analysis

NATURE OF CONFLICTS (ii)

Conflict Triangle 

Conflicts: Cyclical or Dialectical

 Inevitability of Conflicts

 

  

Week-2

UNDERSTANDING SOURCES OF CONFLICT

Inherency Theories 

Contingent Theories 

Interactionist Theories


Sources of Conflict

Culture

Ideology

Religion

Identity




Week-3

METHODS OF CONFLICT ANALYSIS

Focusing on Conflict Dynamics 

Focusing on Basic Needs 

Focusing on Rational Calculations 

Identifying Key Elements in Conflict Analysis




Week-4

  CONFLICT ASSESSMENT AND PROGNOSIS

Methods of Conflict Resolution 

Limitations of Conflict Assessment 

The Challenges That Lie Ahead 

The Importance of Cultural Differences 

Conflict within the Field of Conflict Resolution 






Week-5

RESPONSES TO CONFLICTS (i)

Post-conflict Recovery 

Role of International Community 

Strengthening UN Coordination

RESPONSES TO CONFLICTS (ii)

Transparency and Accountability 

Coordination Mechanisms 

Financing Recovery 

PROGRESS ASSESSMENT

 




     

     Week-6

 

OBJECTIVES OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Methods and Different Approaches of Conflict management 

Conflict Management in Cultural Context

Social and Environmental Dimensions of Conflict 

Arms Proliferation and Conflict Management 

Criticism of the Concept of Conflict Management

Conventional approach

Normative political theory

Coser and conflict management

Galtung and peace research

John burton and human needs theory

UNITED NATIONS AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

 




      Week-7

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

Analysing Organisational Conflict 

Different Mathods for Conflict Management

Locating a superordinate goal 

Modes of Conflict Management 

Case Studies: Punjab & Nagaland





      Week-8

CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION

Concept of ‘Conflict’ in Conflict Transformation 

Approaches to Conflict Transformation 

Traditional (Non-western) Approaches 

Western Approaches of Conflict Transformation

Structural Approach 

Contingency Approach 

Development Approach 

State Reform Approach 

Systemic Approach

Civil Society Approach

Dialogical Approach 

Step-by-step Approach 

Procedural Approach 

Mix of Western and Non-western Approaches

Non-violent Approach

Perspectives on Conflict Transformation

 





Week-9

THEORIES OF CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION 

Thinkers and  their Theories of Conflict Transformation 

Gene Sharp 

Adam Curle 

Terrell A. Northrup 

Edward Azar

Raimo Vayrynen

David W. Augsburger 

Johan Galtung 

John Paul Lederach





Week-10

GANDHIAN VISION

Critique of Modern Civilisation

Gandhi’s idea of Swaraj

Swadeshi and Self-reliance 

Sarvodaya and Antyodaya

Trusteeship 

Role of Women 

Freedom from Untouchability 

Conservation of Resources 

India’s place in Modern World

CASE STUDIES: CHAMPARAN AND SOUTH AFRICA





Week-11

PEACEBUILDING – MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE

   Normative and Evolutionary framework

Multiple Actors and Domains 

Principal Challenges

APPROACHES TO PEACEBUILDING 

Concept of Peace-building 

Integrated or Whole of Government Approach

Peace versus Justice Approach

Civil Society or Transformational Approach 

Feminist Approach




  

     Week-12

POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION

Actors and Stakeholders of Post-conflict Re-construction and Rehabilitation 

Post-conflict Fund and the Role of World Bank

Case Study: Re-construction and Rehabilitation of the Tamils in Sri Lanka

Case Study of Afghanistan from Conflict to Reconstruction

International Community and Reconstruction 

India’s Role in Reconstruction 

Importance of Afghanistan for India and the Region

Books and references

IGNOU Study Material at www.egyankosh.ac.in

1994 UNDP Human Development Report

Instructor bio

Dr. Balkar Singh

Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi

After graduation, Dr. Balkar Singh did his Masters in Rural Development (MARD) from Maharishi Dayanand University Rohtak in 1998 and passed the NET (UGC) examination in 1998. He was a gold medalist in 1998 for being first class first in the University in Rural Development examination. He obtained his Masters in Sociology and PhD in Sociology. He is associate with IGNOU since 1999 with various Degree and Diploma, Certificate in Rural Development (CRD), Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD), Master in Rural Development (MARD), Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Sociology (MSO), Certificate in AIDS and Family Education (CAFE), Diploma in AIDS and Family Education, is an Academic Counselor. The Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD) has been awarded the Best Diploma in the category of Diploma on the 39th Foundation Day of IGNOU (19 NOVEMBER 2021). He has published several articles and chapters in reputed national magazines, newspapers and books. He has participated in various national conferences and presented papers. His areas of interest are Rural Development Planning and Programme, Rural Health, Land Reforms, Panchayati Raj and Women's Empowerment. He is associated with many NGOs, Trust for social service.



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