Conflict Resolution and Management: The Macro Perspective

Abstract

Conflict is an inevitable phenomenon in this universe as long as humankind exists. This implies that conflict is natural to human nature. However, conflicts usually occur from the pursuit of divergent interests, goals and aspirations by individuals or groups in a defined social or physical environment. Thus, conflict is present when two or more parties perceive that their interests are incompatible, express hostile attitudes, or take, pursue their interests through actions that damage the other parties. Our contemporary world is experiencing varied dimensions of conflicts cutting across religious, tribal, national, racial and socio-cultural inclinations. These macro dimensions of conflicts are open or external expression of dissatisfaction of the aggrieved group which is aimed at injuring other group(s) or reducing if not totally eliminating the existing relationship between the groups. Conflict that has degenerated to macro level becomes difficult and complex for the parties involved to personally resolve their differences alone without the aid of external assistance. Hence, this paper addressed effective styles of conflict resolution and management from the macro perspective