Conflict

How to use this guide

This guide can be read online using the links at the top of this page. Alternatively, the full guide and individual chapters can be downloaded as pdfs:

• Full guide (pdf)
• Chapter 1 (pdf)
• Chapter 2 (pdf)
• Chapter 3 (pdf)
• Chapter 4 (pdf)
• Chapter 5 (pdf)

The guide is accompanied by two supplements that explore the links between statebuilding and peacebuilding:

• Statebuilding and peacebuilding supplement (pdf)
• State-society relations supplement (pdf)

About this guide

Conflict is inherent in all societies and arises when two or more groups believe their interests are incompatible. ‘Conflict’ is not, however, interchangeable with ‘violence’. Non-violent resolution is possible when individuals and groups have trust in their governing structures, society and institutions to manage incompatible interests. Conflict becomes a problem when this trust and respective conflict management capacities are absent and conflicting parties choose instead to resort to the use of force to secure their goals.

Violent conflict is the subject of this topic guide.  This guide provides an overview of key topics ranging from the causes, dynamics and impacts of conflict to options for interventions to prevent, manage and respond to conflict.  It highlights key issues and debates for each topic covered and identifies relevant references.  Clicking on the link in a document title will take the reader to a more extensive summary in the GSDRC document library, which includes a direct link to the original document. The guide is updated on a quarterly basis with new publications and emerging issues.

This topic guide was written by Huma Haider (GSDRC) in December 2009.  The GSDRC appreciates the contributions of Thania Paffenholz (Graduate Institute of International Relations and Development); Wafula Okumu (Institute for Security Studies); Lyndsay McLean Hilker (Social Development Direct); Marcus Lenzen (DFID) and Juliet Wattebot O'Brien (DFID).  Comments, questions or documents can be sent to enquiries@gsdrc.org.

Supplements to the Conflict guide

• Statebuilding and Peacebuilding in Situations of Conflict and Fragility examines the links (and tensions) between statebuilding and peacebuilding, how these activities interact, and how they can be approached in practice.
• State-Society Relations and Citizenship in Situations of Conflict and Fragility examines concepts of state-society relations, civic trust, citizenship and socio-political cohesion in relation to statebuilding and peacebuilding.

These supplements were written by Huma Haider (GSDRC) in October 2010. The GSDRC appreciates the contributions of Alina Rocha Menochal (Overseas Development Institute); Alex Stevens (DFID) and Anna Miles (DFID).

Latest additions

The following document summaries were added to the Conflict Guide in January 2012:

• Aning, K. and Atta-Asamoah, A., 2011, 'Demography, Environment and Conflict in West Africa', Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Accra, Ghana
• Fagen, P. W., 2011, ‘Refugees and IDPs after Conflict: Why They Do Not Go Home’, United States Institute of Peace, Washington DC
• OECD, 2011, ‘Investing in Security: A Global Assessment of Armed Violence Reduction Initiatives’, Conflict and Fragility Series, OECD Publishing, Paris
• UNESCO, 2011, ‘The Hidden Crisis: Armed conflict and education’, Education for All, Global Monitoring Report, UNESCO

New additions