through stages: 1. Stable peace 2. Unstable peace 3. Open conflict 4. Crisis 5. War Then reverses the same path in de-escalation. Key Applications • Conflict Prevention: Early stage. • Conflict Management: When conflict becomes visible but before violence. • Crisis Management: Immediate actions to prevent eruption into war. • Conflict Resolution: After violence to restore relationships. • Peacebuilding: Long-term reconstruction. • Peace Consolidation: Stabilization of transformed relationships. SECTION TWO – CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CONFLICT 2.1 Causes of Conflict Daniel Katz’s major categories: 1. Economic Causes – competition for scarce resources. 2. Value Causes – ideological or cultural incompatibility. 3. Power Causes – desire to maintain or expand influence. Other Causes • Communication problems (misunderstanding, selective perception). • Structural causes (institutional arrangements, procedures). Three-level causes 1. Structural causes o Deep-rooted inequalities, exclusion, poor governance. 2. Proximate causes o Human rights abuses, proliferation of arms, political instability. 3. Triggers o Elections, assassinations, economic shocks. 2.2 Consequences of Conflict Unmanaged conflict leads to: • Increased costs and wasted resources • Low productivity and motivation • Poor communication • Hostility, distrust, and damaged relationships Emotional and psychological harm • Social breakdown, displacement, and insecurity SECTION THREE – CONFLICT ANALYSIS 3.1 What is Conflict Analysis? A systematic study of: • The profile • Causes • Actors • Dynamics of conflict Used to design effective interventions. 3.2 Why is it important? • Helps understand realities in conflict areas • Clarifies motivations and fears of actors •