Conflicts can arise in various circumstances. For instance, it can arise in professional dealings, interpersonal relationships, in political diplomacy, etc. Conflicts are seen in almost all areas of human affairs. Usually, conflicts are accompanied by the concerned parties’ interests. If a suitable resolution to a conflict situation is not found then it can lead to disputes. The process of finding an amicable solution to a given conflict is called conflict resolution.
There are numerous ways in which conflicts can be resolved. The suitability of a particular method is determined by the context in which the conflict arises. Several other factors also determine the most appropriate resolution method to be applied. For example, the nature of the conflict, the issues at stake, the cultural sensibilities of the people involved, the economic costs, etc are all factors to be considered. Once a general assessment of the conflict is made then steps can be taken toward reaching a solution. This can involve peaceful negotiations or mediations between the concerned parties. In case of conflict between two nations, nonviolent approaches such as diplomacy should be first considered before resorting to force.
When it comes to conflict resolution in a business situation, the first choice action will be legal advocacy, which involves informing the stakeholders of the legal implications of various courses of action. In the realm of the academia, scholarly seminars and other pedagogic approaches are best suited for conflict resolution. Sometimes, a combination of various approaches is the most effective. For instance, in interpersonal conflicts, elements of personal counseling sessions alongside legal briefings is more likely to lead to amicable resolutions.
In recent years, conflicts have arisen between environment protection groups and business corporations, primarily due to the tendency of the latter to externalize ‘costs and risks’. This has resulted in social activism and such international public forums such as the World Social Forum, World Economic Forum, etc are platforms for debating, contemplating and settling various disputes. Sometimes conflicts can arise between different ethnic and religious groups. Resolving such disputes would require a broad political framework.
Hence, we can conclude by saying that “conflict resolution” is an integral aspect of all well-thought out processes in the realm of politics, business, society or family. Finding a mutually agreeable solution to a given conflict is usually achieved by applying broad universal principles of fairness and justice while also taking into consideration the unique conditions of a case. Conflict resolution is essential in order to avoid unnecessary and unproductive disputes.