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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict |
Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA |
As is clear from this training program, there are a great many things that need to be considered before deciding which approach to conflict is most likely to advance a group's interests. Inevitably, this analysis takes time. Unfortunately, crisis situations can develop in which there is very little time to consider available options. In these cases, parties who are unable or unwilling to act quickly are at a severe disadvantage, which means that people are often forced to make decisions without adequate information. Obviously, such decisions are often poor. In the most extreme example, the nuclear standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, there were enormous pressures to fire nuclear weapons within minutes or even seconds of an attack warning. Under such circumstances, a false alarm could easily result in catastrophe. Although a variety of approaches can help deal with crisis situations, the best solution is prevention--dealing with conflicts constructively before crises develop, so that quick, bad decisions--and potentially catastrophic situations--can be avoided.
Step-by-Step De-Escalation (GRIT)
Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu