"A social science field that identifies and analyzes violent and nonviolent behaviors as well as the structural mechanisms attending conflicts (including social conflicts), with a view towards understanding those processes which lead to a more desirable human condition."
Peace and Conflict Studies examines the causes and dynamics of conflict as well as strategies to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts, aiming to build a more peaceful and just world.
Definition of peace and conflict: Understanding what constitutes peace and conflict can help you better understand Peace and Conflict Studies. Conflict refers to the existence of disagreement or discord among individuals or groups, while peace is the absence of such conflict.
Causes of conflict: Conflict can have numerous causes, ranging from economic, social, cultural, and political factors. Learning the underlying causes of conflicts can help identify potential conflict hotspots.
Approaches to Conflict Resolution: There are various ways to resolve conflicts, and Conflict Studies often explores different approaches, such as dialogue, negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Nonviolent Communication: Nonviolent communication is a way of communicating that seeks to resolve conflicts without emotional or physical violence.
International and Domestic Conflict: Domestic conflicts occur within nations, while international conflict happens between nations. As a Peace and Conflict Studies student, you will explore different approaches to managing or resolving these types of conflicts.
Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention: These activities involve creating the conditions for sustainable peace, such as enhancing democracy, promoting human rights, and addressing root causes of conflict.
Human and Environmental Security: Peace and conflict studies students strive to ensure the security and protection of people and natural resources, especially in areas affected by conflicts.
Humanitarian Assistance: This is a type of aid intended to help people whose lives have been affected by conflict or disaster, such as refugees or internally displaced persons.
Post-Conflict Reconstruction: When a conflict is over, peace and conflict studies students help in the rebuilding of devastated societies in affected areas.
Education and Conflict: Education can be used as a tool for promoting peace or fueling conflicts. Therefore, Peace and Conflict Studies explores how education can be employed to reduce conflict and create more peaceful societies.
International Conflict Resolution: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies focuses on resolving conflicts between countries or regions.
Regional Conflict Resolution: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies deals with conflicts within a particular region or area, such as a city, state or province.
Ethno-Conflict Resolution: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies deals with conflicts that arise from differences in ethnic identity, culture, or religion.
Gender and Conflict Studies: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies focuses on the ways gender dynamics influence conflict, both during and after conflict.
Human Rights and Conflict Studies: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies studies the intersection of human rights violations and conflicts, as well as how to prevent such violations.
Peacebuilding: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies focuses on building sustainable peace, often including the creation of institutions and promoting social justice.
Post-Conflict Reconstruction: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies focuses on rebuilding infrastructure, political institutions, and societies after violent conflict and war.
Conflict Management: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies focuses on managing conflicts in a peaceful and productive way, often involving negotiation and mediation.
Transitional Justice: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies focuses on creating accountability and justice for victims of violent conflict, often involving truth commissions, tribunals, and reparations.
Nonviolent Resistance: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies focuses on the use of nonviolent strategies to confront oppression and build social change.
Environmental Peace and Conflict Studies: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies examines how conflicts arise from environmental issues and the role of environmental sustainability in peacebuilding.
Healing and Reconciliation: This type of Peace and Conflict Studies focuses on the psychological and emotional healing of individuals and communities after conflict, as well as promoting forgiveness and reconciliation.
"An interdisciplinary effort aiming at the prevention, de-escalation, and solution of conflicts by peaceful means, thereby seeking 'victory' for all parties involved in the conflict."
"This social science is in contrast to military studies, which has as its aim the efficient attainment of victory in conflicts, primarily by violent means to the satisfaction of one or more, but not all, parties involved."
"Disciplines involved may include philosophy, political science, geography, economics, psychology, communication studies, sociology, international relations, history, anthropology, religious studies, gender studies, law, and development studies as well as a variety of others."
"Relevant sub-disciplines of such fields, such as peace economics, may be regarded as belonging to peace and conflict studies also."
"Identifies and analyzes violent and nonviolent behaviors as well as the structural mechanisms attending conflicts."
"The prevention, de-escalation, and solution of conflicts by peaceful means."
"The efficient attainment of victory in conflicts, primarily by violent means."
"It is an interdisciplinary effort involving various disciplines such as philosophy, political science, geography, economics, psychology, communication studies, sociology, international relations, history, anthropology, religious studies, gender studies, law, and development studies."
"Development studies can be regarded as belonging to peace and conflict studies as well."
"Seeking 'victory' for all parties involved in the conflict."
"The efficient attainment of victory in conflicts, primarily by violent means."
"Philosophy, political science, geography, economics, psychology, communication studies, sociology, international relations, history, anthropology, religious studies, gender studies, law, and development studies, among others."
"Sociology is one of the disciplines involved in peace and conflict studies."
"Philosophy, political science, geography, economics, psychology, communication studies, sociology, international relations, history, anthropology, religious studies, gender studies, law, and development studies, among others."
"The processes which lead to a more desirable human condition."
"Conflicts by peaceful means."
"The satisfaction of one or more, but not all, parties involved."
"Peace economics, among others, can be regarded as belonging to peace and conflict studies."
"By understanding those processes which lead to a more desirable human condition."