The present study is intended as an alternative to the experimental game approach to the investigation of conflict. It explores a particular real-world conflict situation, the labor-management bargaining relationship, and is viewed as a transitional step between laboratory experimentation and research in natural settings. Subjects were 34 male adults, 19 representing "Management" and 15 representing "Labor", all with formal bargaining experience in labor-management negotiations. A total of ten 3-hour sessions were conducted in which representatives of both parties participated in 3- and 4-person groups. The study was designed to provide information concerning ways in which representatives of each party (1) perceive the labor-management relationship, and (ii) approach negotiations. Perceptual information was obtained by means of an opinion questionnaire which dealt with specific aspects of labor relations, and semantic differential-type scales. In addition to the descriptive information provided by these tools, it was found that: (1) labor representatives perceived more differences of opinion between "Labor" and "Management" than did management representatives; (2) the personal opinions of management representatives differed from the opinions they perceived "Management" in general to hold more frequently than the personal opinions of labor representatives differed from the opinions they perceived "Labor" in general to hold; (3) the personal opinions of labor representatives differed from the opinions they perceived "Management" in general to hold:, more frequently than the personal opinions of management representatives differed from the opinions they perceived "Labor" in general to hold; (4) no differences existed between the labor sample and the management sample in terms of homogeneity of perception or in terms of homogeneity of personal opinion. The first finding is considered to reflect different values placed upon tension and conflict by "Labor" and "Management", while the second and third findings suggest a greater tendency for "Labor" to hold personal opinions which resemble a perceived "party line". An implication of the fourth finding is that if exogeneous "party lines" do exist, the "party line" adopted by "Labor" is no more well defined for labor representatives than any "Management party line" is for management representatives. A potentially important observation involving misperceptions was the tendency for both labor and management representatives to think the other party perceived them in a less favorable manner than it actually did. This is regarded as one consequence of the roles prescribed for two parties in a conflict relationship. Negotiating information was obtained from a formal analysis of the verbal content of simulated bargaining sessions. The bargaining problem employed in this study cast management representatives in the role of business partners and labor representatives as the elected officials representing employees of the business. The two parties were required to negotiate a wage settlement for the coming year on the basis of a projected wage and profit analysis adapted from the model of Sawyer's bargaining board. Findings are outlined in terms of the ways in which Labor and Management presented the position of their party on the wage issue, questioned the position taken by the other party, and dealt with questions and arguments from the other party. Those aspects of verbal behavior reported Include the relative emphasis given particular bargaining positions, the kinds of arguments presented and degree of determination with which supportive statements were expressed, the types of information exchanged, and the nature of threats and attacks made by each party. In addition to categorizing verbal statements made during "negotiations", emphasis was placed upon the relative frequency with which a particular kind of statement was made by Labor and Management. Implications of the findings of this exploratory study and suggestions for future research are discussed. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

This is a model building study which addresses itself to observing and investigating what transpires between two couples as they complete the process of resolving a marital conflict. Four therapy sessions where the couples successfully resolved a marital conflict and one therapy session where a resolution was attempted but was unsuccessful were selected for investigation. A task analysis was completed in which the moment-by-moment interactions of the couples were rigorously tracked to reveal the interactional patterns that distinguish couples who resolve marital conflicts from those who are not successful at resolving their conflicts. The interactional task analysis involved six strategies. The investigator's cognitive map of the resolution process was outlined. The task was defined as a pursue-distance conflict in which one partner was identified as an emotional pursuer and the other identified as an emotional withdrawer. The task environment, an emotionally focused therapy session, was specified. In the first rational analysis the investigator's model was presented. The transcripts of the resolution events were reviewed and repeated patterns were identified in the first empirical analysis. In the second rational analysis process indicators that would discriminate between the stages of resolution were chosen from four process measures. In the second empirical analysis two process measures (the SASB and the Experiencing scale) were used to identify the stages of resolution and produce a final model of marital conflict resolution. The final model consists of four steps which the couples move through to reach resolution. These steps are; Escalation, De-escalation, Testing, and Mutual Openness. Escalation involves either an 'attack-defend', 'attack-withdraw', or 'attack-attack' pattern where the pursuer is blaming their partner and the other partner is either defending, withdrawing or attacking. Each partners focus is on representing their own position and both partners usually feel angry, frustrated or unheard. In De-escalation one partner openly discloses their experience or asks for what he or she needs. This usually involves an expression of vulnerability. The other partner responds with either 'affirming and understanding' or 'helping and protecting' behavior. With Testing there is an initial positive interaction in which the withdrawer responds to the pursuer's open expression of feelings or needs with 'helping and protecting', 'nurturing and comforting' or 'trusting and relying' behavior. The pursuer however suddenly switch to 'belitting and blaming', 'sulking and appeasing' or 'walling off and avoiding' behavior. The pursuer appears to be dealing with the issue of trust, they are not sure if they can trust their partners response to them as totally genuine and likely to occur again. Mutual Openness resembles De-escalation however it this stage both partners complete 'disclose/trust rely' or 'affirm/help protect' sequences. Both partners rather than just one complete a sequence in which they explore their part in the problem openly while the other partner listens and affirms them. A failure to move from Escalation to De-escalation and the absence of 'affirming and and understanding' communication behaviors distinguished the non-resolution event from the resolution events. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Magister Legum - LLM / Abstract to be made available soon. / South Africa

Paul Virilio states, "...war is now directed not so much against the enemy's war machines as against the atmospheric ecosystem of the target country. Hence the strange inversion in the nature of the victims of a conflict unleashed 'in the name of human rights' -- a conflict in which most of the casualties are civilians and the military personnel appear to be a protected species."2 There are many examples of local, national, and international sites targeted and destroyed in the so-called 'wars in the name of humanitarian aid'. In addition, a new trend shows terrorist groups targeting symbolic cultural heritage sites in order to erase the identity of the place. The possibility of cultural heritage protection goes beyond current methodologies. What if instead we thought about a city, as Italo Calvino states, "consisting of relationships between the measurements of its space and the events of its past," in order to design a sensitive, yet protective layer for its historic fabric? This thesis explores a theory of ange beginning with understanding the problem: cultural heritage is being targeted in conflict zones to instill fear, destroy identity, and generate symbolic propaganda. Despite the rapid development of technology and resources, the built fabric has not yet fully adapted to the needs and desires of the 21st century. The solution develops through a complex spatial vehicle: a protective layer or sacrificial skin, a replica or mask, encompassing oth tangible and intangible aspects of a cultural heritage site, that prevents destruction to both the building and the people thus creating a safe, yet historic space for public and private life. Empathy leads to insights. For the first time in human history, it is impossible to imagine what the next decade will look like much less the next century. This thesis explores one possible route to existing harmoniously with the past while continuing to progress towards a shared future. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

This thesis comprises four essays on the economic analysis of conflict, with an emphasis on non-traditional motivation among parties to the conflict. The first chapter surveys the literature on emotions and conflict economics. The second chapter proposes a theory of peaceability in conflict. Peaceability captures the willingness of a contenting party to fight and is arguably an important dimension of conflict not previously identified. The third chapter presents a theory of resource use and conflict, in which blame is an important motivation for conflict. Finally, the fourth chapter explores incomplete information as a potential source of conflict, wherein a contending party is uncertain about his opponent’s true willingness to fight.

The object of this study is to present a comparative analysis of the system of problem-solving workshops and associated conflict resolution techniques exemplified in the work of John W Burton and Leonard Doob and their associates. The approach has been to structure the research as a methodological critique of the Burton and Doob models, with special consideration given to their respective domain assumptions, internal logic, methodology, process and prescriptive dimensions. Informed by the assumption of the universality of conflict, the study begins by examining the particular strengths and weaknesses associated with Burton and Doob's work. The approach is descriptive-analytical and sets out to isolate, identify and describe the salient features of the problem-solving approach followed by the two authors. Specific case studies used by them have been subjected to critical analysis. The basic notion of problem-solving and its relevance to conflict analysis and resolution is also explored in some detail. In arriving at a conclusion, the study suggests that problem-solving workshops have specific strengths, notably in the area of conflict analysis as well as in influencing individual perceptions and competing value positions. Certain shortcomings in the theoretical and practical utility of this approach, however, could be overcome, in the author's opinion, by giving attention to the area of third party intervention, notably in assessing the variables affecting the process, such as the time sequence, the structure of the discussion format, and the application of specific techniques. In the final analysis, it is agreed that these problem-solving workshops can serve as a useful analytical tool in contemplating the dynamic of conflict relationships and behaviour. Their theoretical and practical utility, but remain inherently limited unless they are integrated with a broader body of literature on bargaining and third party intervention. The study concludes with the observation that despite an extensive and growing body of literature on conflict, the practice of third party intervention - especially within the workshop setting - has only recently been studied in depth. It is in this respect that this study hopes to be of some practical value especially in the case of a deeply divided society such as South Africa.

This article examines the effectiveness of the African Union (AU) Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) in its role in the prevention of conflict in Africa stemming particularly from unconstitutional changes of government and elections. In exploring this, regard is paid to the following conflict case studies: Kenya (2007), Guinea Bissau (2012) and Burundi (2015). In assessing the effectiveness of the CEWS, the article explores its operations and how well it is able to gather holistic early warning information in relation to conflicts before they emerge, liaising with Regional Economic Communities and academic institutions, think tanks and other entities. It also looks at how well the CEWS is able to swiftly relay the said early warning information to critical decision making bodies within the African Peace and Security Architecture such as the AU Peace and Security Council as well as the Chairperson of the AU Commission to prevent the conflict from emerging. / Mini Dissertation (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / NRF / Centre for Human Rights / LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa) / Unrestricted

This study rests on the assumption that the methods of science embodied in the general canons of the scientific enterprise (particularly in relation to theory formulation and validation) constitute the realm of theoretical practice from which to develop a methodological and theoretical position relevant to the phenomenon of social conflict.

Bibliography: p. 217-229. / To a political scientist the challenge.is irresistible of trying to explain and understand a conflict society which is generally characterised in the world as historically anachronistic, politically untenable, economically wasteful and morally unacceptable. It is common cause that South Africa will change. What are the likely ways in which the conflict will be resolved, and which is most likely? These are the questions to which this thesis will attempt to provide answers: it is an effort to determine, as far as possible, the nature, direction and pace of change in South Africa, as seen by a selected group of recent studies of South African politics. The method will be to test the validity of the respective positions on this and related issues embedded in the selected studies of South African politics. Part II, the major part of the work, therefore, is an examination of the explicit or implicit assumptions and values, the conceptual and theoretical frameworks, the use of evidence, the existence of counter evidence, the omissions, inconsistencies and conclusions of various studies of South Africa, in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each as explanations of the political, social and economic process. In the course of the examination, an alternative analysis of the issues will be presented and defended. A synopsis of the analysis will be given in Part III. This will be used as a means for testing the analyses of the selected studies, before selecting what is valid in all of them in terms of providing possible answers to the questions posed about the resolution of conflict.

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Communication Science in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2004. / This dissertation uses a combination, of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to present an objective analysis of conflict between aggrieved educators and their employer, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Education, set against current theories of how narrative analysis, informed by semantic roles analysis, can be used according to the principles of organisational communication to discern underlying causes of conflict, and current approaches to conflict transformation The major findings of this study are that conflict is endemic at all hierarchic levels of the KZN Department of Education, that intermediate forms of dispute resolution are not working effectively, with the consequence that a high number of disputes are referred for arbitration, and finally that arbitrators are performing their duties effectively in terms of the dispute resolution procedures of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC).