pressure or coercion • Agreements often involve concessions from both sides Limitations: • Settlements may collapse because underlying grievances remain unaddressed • Often revisited later, leading to renewed conflict Conflict Resolution Definition: Conflict resolution is a comprehensive, cooperative approach that seeks to address both the objective issues and the subjective relationships between parties. Characteristics: • Parties work together to redefine the conflict and their relationship • Focuses on win-win outcomes • Third parties facilitate, not coerce • Addresses: o behaviors o attitudes o underlying structures Goals: • Reduce hostility • Build communication and trust • Address root causes • Achieve long-term solutions This approach is transformative but difficult to implement in severe, long-standing conflicts. Conflict Transformation Conflict transformation is the deepest and most holistic approach. Definition: It seeks not only to end a specific conflict but to change relationships, attitudes, structures, and social systems that generate conflict. Key Ideas: • Conflict naturally transforms people, relationships, and societies • Transformation seeks to: o improve understanding o humanize perceptions o restructure unjust systems • Encourages mutual respect and accurate understanding • Focuses on long-term social change Objective: Sustainable peace through structural, relational, and psychological transformation. Differences: Settlement vs. Resolution Aspect Settlement (Compromise) Resolution (Cooperation) Focus Objective issues, short-term Both objective & subjective, long-term Aim Remove conflict Remove causes of conflict Third Party Role Uses pressure/coercion Facilitates communication, no coercion Outcome Win–lose or partial