Conflict Resolution as a Political Philosophy (1993)

Conflict resolution is a recent concept. It is still not part of any consensual understanding. Indeed, the terms disputes and conflictsDisputes and conflicts are used interchangeably, as are settlement and resolutionResolution. In the emerging literature on conflict resolutionConflict resolution these terms have distinctive meanings. ‘Disputes’ involve negotiable interestsNegotiable interests, while ‘conflictsConflict’ are concerned with issues that are not negotiable, issues that relate to ontological human needsHuman needs that cannot be compromised. Accordingly, ‘settlement’ refers to negotiated or arbitrated outcomes of disputes, while ‘resolution’ refers to outcomes of a conflict situation that must satisfy the inherent needs of all. Hence we have dispute settlementDispute settlement and conflict resolution.