Historical, Theoretical and Methodological Aspects of Conflicts

Abstract

The present paper deals with the scientific assessment of the origin, prevention and regulation of conflicts as one of the challenging problems in the world. 

It is common knowledge that conflicts are the concomitant phenomena of human relations and are defined by both subjective and objective attitudes. The study of conflicts dates back to ancient times. In Western science, it is also considered a means of development. Considering these facts, we have discussed and analyzed the opinions of the English philosophers and sociologists along with the standpoints of various scholars like R. Park, L. Coser, G. Simmel, R. Dahrendorf, A. Adler, Z. Freud, etc.

The present paper discusses the nature, types, and management techniques of conflict as well as the key influencing factors to be taken into account when diagnosing the conflict.

In addition, the papers emphasizes the crucial importance of negotiations as the best means of communication and the contributing factor to conflict regulation, and draws a parallel between the two relationships  - conflict regulation and conflict elimination (when talking about the ways of conflict resolution) that may lay the foundation for a new conflict in the future.        

The paper provides examples of the development of violent conflict in a non-communicative, unstable, unjust, frightening and extremely negative emotional background that causes severe mental trauma and pain and is passed on to the next generation (For example, the Civil War in Georgia, Conflicts of Abkhazia and the so-called South Ossetia, Russo-Georgian War in August, 2008, etc.).

Within the framework of the paper, we considered it necessary to analyze peace as the opposite event of conflict and discussed the concept of “dynamic stability” based on the example of August War in Georgia. When approaching the issue of a conflict situation, we identified four types of attitudes: conflict management, resolution, transformation and complete elimination, where the specific conflict situation and environment must be taken into account (For example, the Kosovo conflict in 1999 that was an open conflict resulted in the death and displacement of lots of people). We have noted that such conflicts require both settlement and resolution.

Thus, scientific assessment of the conflict helps to identify optimal management options. Considering the situational analysis is an important factor for eliminating the local conflicts, so that it does not spiral into a conflict of systemic nature.