LECTURE NOTES MODULE INTRODUCTION Conflict is natural, inevitable, and a normal part of human interaction. Human beings come from different backgrounds, hold different interests and worldviews, and therefore differences in opinions are unavoidable. These differences sometimes escalate into aggression or violence. Although conflict is usually perceived negatively, it can also be constructive, serving as a catalyst for social and political transformation, if handled properly. When conflict gets out of hand, however, it becomes destructive and requires deliberate and systematic resolution. This module introduces you to the nature, causes, consequences, and analysis of conflict, along with strategies of conflict resolution, contemporary forms of conflict, peacebuilding, and indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms in Ethiopia. UNIT ONE: THE NATURE OF CONFLICT This unit covers: 1. What conflict is 2. Causes and consequences of conflict 3. Conflict analysis SECTION ONE – WHAT IS CONFLICT? Overview We all enter conflicts with assumptions, some helpful, others limiting. Understanding conflict deeply increases our capacity to manage it effectively and peacefully. Objectives By the end of this section learners should be able to: • Define conflict • Explain types of conflict 1.1 Conflict Conflict is a multidimensional social process with both negative and positive potentials. Definitions of Conflict • A state of tension experienced when one perceives their needs or goals as threatened. • An incompatibility of goals, interests, or values between individuals or groups (Fisher, 1990). • A feature present in all human societies. Two Major Conceptions of Conflict 1. Realist View (Objective): o Conflict arises from competition over scarce resources, power, or