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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict |
Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA |
Force-based power strategies are dramatically different depending upon whether or not they are used in situations where effective violence limiting mechanisms are in place. In cases where effective violence limiting mechanisms are present, the use of violent strategies is likely to result in widespread social condemnation and, as a result, be counterproductive. For example, white supremacists' use of violence against blacks in the U.S. has greatly diminished their support within the general population.
In cases where violence-limiting mechanisms are absent, however, violent confrontation becomes the ultimate source of power. In these situations, the parties often must develop some strategy for dealing with the violence-based strategies of their opponents. (These strategies, however, do not have to be violent themselves--often non-violent responses to violence are more effective.
Often the primary focus of peace making efforts are the establishment of effective violence-limiting mechanisms. While this does not resolve the underlying conflict, it does shift of focus to nonviolent types of force.
Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu