Three Pillar Approach To Conflict Analysis

A three pillar approach of conflict mapping and resolution by Dennis J.D. Sandole includes all the major and necessary features needed for conflict analysis and resolution. The approach shows and indicates all the angles of conflict. The approach by Sandole consists of 3 pillars. First pillar is concentrated on conflict latent. The preliminary feature for conflict resolution is the understanding of its structure. In the approach conflict is described as Manifest Conflict Process (MCP), which seems a bit less dangerous as it can be negotiated and overcome, but another description is also indicated, named Aggressive Manifest Conflict Process (AMCP), which tends to be dangerous and perilous. The main goal of conflict prevention is preventing

In addition, conflict issues are mainly: Relationships, Values, Beliefs/ data and control over resources/interests. Understanding the issue of a conflict is another vital feature for conflict analysis. The objectives of the parties shape the environment of conflict. Parties can have the status-quo maintaining or status-quo changing objectives. The first objective includes peace, balance and stability, while the other one has more revolutionary aims. In conflict analysis the objectives of different parties must be conceived, in order to avoid zero-sum situation and get all the possible benefits from resolving the conflicts. Sandole uses the “orange metaphor” while describing the necessity of conceiving objectives, and by these examples the absolute necessity of negotiation is underlined. The first pillar also includes the mechanisms, used for achieving objectives. Three types of means are presented in this case, the first one is quite violent, as it includes the acts based on power, it is more like a fight; the second type of means is described as a game where you have to deceive your opponent and the third technique is debate, where opponents try to persuade and convert each other’s

Cooperative orientation strives for positive-sum goals while competitive orientation bends towards zero-sum aims. In addition, the first pillar explores the environment of conflict handling. 2 categories of environment are discussed, these are exogenous, where there may be no system to control or resolve the conflict, and endogenous where the conflicting systems are parts of a larger system that has its own ways for preserving a steady state. The second pillar of the approach concentrates on conflict causes and conditions. The pillar broadly indicates that conflicts arise on individual, societal, international and global/ecological level. Conflict can be also multi-level, in this case the resolving attempts must be multi-level too. Sandole provides generic theory, which identifies potential causes of violent conflict, the theory mainly provides information about the human physiological and other mental factors that stimulate violence in human beings, and these factors often apply to societies