What is conflict?

What is conflict?

​

Conflicts are disagreements where each persons’ or groups’ needs aren’t being met . This may be a need for something tangible like land, water, food or something intangible like hope, justice, or dignity. Almost always, protracted conflicts between groups are based on a mix of tangible and intangible needs.​

​​
Conflict is different than dispute. Disputes occur all the time between people and groups. Disputes are situations where the issues are negotiable and there can be compromise (John W. Burton). Conflicts therefore happen when a dispute cannot be negotiated or compromised on.

​​
Protracted conflicts are always complex. When we are involved in a conflict, the issues seem simple to us; “if the other side would only change, we wouldn’t have these problems”.  But issues that cause conflict are as numerous as the individuals involved in conflicts. Conflict is a web of individuals driven by story that they hold on to.  The story is handed down from generation to generation and becomes a part of who we are.