CMM315: Peacebuilding and Security: Applying Conflict Theories

Conflicts often arise from multiple interrelated factors, including political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Social theories provide a framework for understanding why conflicts emerge, persist, and escalate.

Select any TWO (2) conflict theories from the list below:

• Basic Human Needs Theory (Burton, 1990)
• Horizontal Inequalities (Stewart, 2008)
• Economic Function of Conflict (Keen, 1998)

Based on an appropriate conflict of choice, answer the following questions:  

 a) Examine the historical roots and structural causes of your chosen conflict according to your chosen theories. Appraise how the political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions interrelate and contribute to the escalation and persistence of the conflict. You are to include a visualisation aid (e.g., conflict tree, actor map, or systems diagram) wherever relevant.

(45 marks)

b) Analyse when and how negative peace and positive peace, respectively, were achieved in your selected conflict. Your response should also include details on the transition from negative to positive peace, and how efforts directed at achieving positive peace have contributed to the nature of the state or country today.

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Selection of two conflict theories

The two conflict theories that are selected are basic human needs theory (Burton, 1990) and horizontal inequalities (Stewart, 2008).

Horizontal roots and structural causes of conflict
Case Study: The Northern Ireland conflict

Historical background: It is mainly the British colonial rule in Ireland during the partition of Ireland in 1921, the origin of Northern Ireland conflict was traced, and the conflict escalated into violent one during the late 1960s to 1998.

Analysis using the basic human needs theory

According to Burton, conflict mainly arises because of denial with respect to non-negotiable human needs such as identity, security, recognition and politician participation. In the given conflict, Catholic Nationalist experienced separation of iris cultural identity and the violence created persistent insecurity. The access to political power was also lost because of electoral manipulation and exclusion, and all these unmet needs contributed towards the violence.

Analysis using horizontal inequalities

Stewart theory mainly indicates the group based inequalities such as political inequality, social inequality, economic inequality and cultural inequality. In the given conflict, the political inequality was identified in the form of unionist controlled government institutions, while economic inequality was evident in the form of unemployment, poor housing and Limited accessibility to public services was faced by catholics. The differentiation in the education and residential areas highlighted social inequality whereas the exclusion of Irish identity symbol shows cultural inequality.
Relationship between all dimensions: The escalation of this conflict is marked by the interaction of multiple structural factors including political exclusion, economic deprivation, cultural separation and state security.
Visualisation Aid: The roots are the colonial legacy, economic inequality whereas the trunk includes institutional discrimination. The branches are the civil unrest and state repression whereas the leaves are persistent in security and mistrust.

Negative peace and positive peace

Negative peace indicates the absence of direct violence whereas the positive peace involves the removal of structural violence. The efforts included power sharing government, police reform, human Rights protection and recognition of cultural identities.
Transition from negative to positive peace: The transition occurred because of institutional reforms, cross community reconciliation programs, and education and cultural recognition policies.
Impact on the state today: Northern Ireland today remains highly peaceful, and democratic Institutions are operating inclusively. Violence is almost absent and there is long term stability identified.

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