Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict

Introduction: Peter Coleman explains how intractable conflicts can be framed negatively or positively through envisioning a better future.

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Framing Intractable Conflicts
Peter Coleman
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Director of the International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution at Columbia

Interviewed by
Julian Portilla
2003

And there are other kinds of decisions like whether or not the conflict is framed as a problem or in more of a promotive way as an ideal situation that you to create. So do you approach intractable conflicts as problems to be solved, or do you approach them as the need to create a vision for the future which is like what Elise Boulding would do in the future imaging stuff. Those are important distinctions and they have an impact on the system...

Everybodys talking at me, I can't here a word they're saying: Only the echos of my mind. -- Midnight Cowboy Theme Song

Featured Links
Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict

Conflict Research Consortium (CRC)

Other Resources from
Beyond Intractability

A User's Guide for Third Siders
The Third Side concept was developed by William Ury. Third Siders are people who try to see both sides of a conflict and encourage cooperative solutions, fair fights, and decision making that advocates solutions which meet everyone's interests and needs as much as possible.

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

United Nations Peacekeeping Forces
1988 Nobel Peace Laureate

Beyond Intractability Version IV
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