Conflict (DP IB Global Politics: HL): Revision Note

What is conflict?

• Conflict refers to a state of disagreement or struggle between two or more parties, ranging from hidden tensions to open violence

  • It occurs at every level of global politics - within communities, between governments and between states

• Conflict exists on a spectrum

  • It can be latent (unspoken and unacknowledged)

  • It can be overt (open and visible)

  • It can escalate from one to the other if underlying causes are not addressed

• Different political traditions and theories interpret the causes, nature and significance of conflict in contrasting ways

  • Understanding these perspectives is essential to analysing conflict in global politics

Latent conflict

• Latent conflict is a state of tension or disagreement between parties that exists beneath the surface but has not yet broken out into open confrontation

  • It is sometimes referred to as an unstable peace

• Latent conflict is not always easy to identify

  • Relations between states or groups in society may appear quite peaceful on the surface

• Examples of latent conflict may include:

  • economic inequality in society

    • Deep-seated resentment amongst groups struggling to get by while wealthier groups enjoy significantly greater resources, opportunities and political influence

  • racial, gender-based and sexual inequality

    • Groups feel they are not given the same rights and protection as other groups

• Often with latent conflict those with power are unaware or unconcerned

  • However, latent conflict can be dangerous

    • It can develop into violent conflict if it continues to be ignored or if an incident sparks an outbreak of violence

Conflict stages

Stage 1: Latent conflict

• Tension exists beneath the surface

• Conflict has not yet happened openly

• Not expressed or acknowledged by those involved

Stage 2: Triggering incident

• A spur-of-the-moment event or specific incident acts as the spark

• Sometimes described as a moment of truth - the point at which hidden tensions become impossible to ignore

Stage 3: Conflict

• Assumptions and labels are applied to the other party

• Attacks and blame escalate

• Alliances form between those involved

• Positions become entrenched and harder to resolve

Stage 4: New equilibrium

• A new understanding is reached between the parties

• Terms are agreed

• The conflict is potentially - though not necessarily permanently - resolved

• If the underlying causes of conflict are not fully addressed at this stage, the cycle can begin again, with new latent tensions building toward the next triggering incident

Overt conflict

• Overt conflict is open, visible confrontation in which disagreements are expressed through direct action — and sometimes through violence

  • It occurs across multiple levels of global politics

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) provides one mechanism through which states can resolve disputes peacefully, preventing overt conflict from becoming violent

Local level

• Overt conflict within communities can be violent or non-violent

• Non-violent overt conflict can bring about positive change

  • For example, social movements and peaceful protest have driven significant political and social reform

National level

• Governments and sub-national bodies regularly engage in non-violent overt conflict over policies, resource allocation or funding priorities

  • This is a normal feature of political life within states

International level

• Overt conflict between states is not unusual and takes many forms, including:

  • trade disputes

  • disagreements over water rights and shared natural resources

  • border disputes

• It is essential to address these conflicts before they escalate into interstate war

Conflict in different political and theoretical contexts

• Conflict is a multi-dimensional concept

• Different interpretations of conflict provide an understanding of this complex concept