Monday, January 13, 2014

Useful Information About Non Lethal Conflict Resolution Methods

By Marissa Velazquez


Conflict resolution is the process of working out a settlement to resolve a disagreement. This process can work in two ways; peaceful resolution or non peaceful resolution. Either of these methods can be used depending on type of conflict, its nature, and extent and understanding level of the disputing parties. This article discusses the peaceful ways otherwise known as non lethal conflict resolution methods of settling an issue.

As the name suggests, non lethal ways are those used by parties to come to an agreement peacefully without violence. There are various methods used in this category. The first one is negotiation and this one involves a peaceful conversation between warring individuals which in the end, both parties agree to solve the problem cordially.

Another non lethal method of solving a problem is through mediation. When using this method, there has to be a third neutral known as a mediator helping the conflicting parties solve their conflict. The mediator after listening to issues of both parties comes up with an intervention between the warring individuals helping to come at a settlement, compromise or reconciliation.

Another method is litigation and this one involves a court of law. An aggrieved individual decides to take another party to court for a legal contest through a judicial process. An individual might decide to represent himself or seek legal guidance. At the end of the case, the judge will make a judgment which both parties should abide to

The other method is arbitration. This is similar to mediation since there is a neutral person (arbitrator) helping the conflicting people solve the problem. The arbitrator is agreed upon by both parties as one who is most neutral to their situation. When it comes to the process, it is like an informal court where having listened to what each party has to say, the arbitrator helps the individuals come to an acceptable decision to settle the problem.

There is also religious action used mostly by people of the same faith. Such individuals when they have a dispute among each other, they decide to seek guidance from their religious leader. One of the parties decides to call upon the religious leader and they meet most preferably at their place of worship or a neutral place. The religious leader will listen to each side and help them come to terms based on the scripture.

Lastly, there is a method known as problem solving workshops that helps people come to amicable solutions without violence. Conflicting individuals therefore attend a workshop that will help them solve their problem. These workshops have facilitators and both individuals involved in the dispute will be required to participate in the discussion and with the help of facilitators work out a resolution for the problem.

The above mentioned methods are just but a few of the non lethal conflict resolution ways mostly applicable between two people. But when it is a state that is involved in a dispute with another, there are certain non violent methods for these states to use. Examples of these are; international agreements, policing, arms inspection and many other ways.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment