Conflict resolution theory: Main concepts and paradigms

Abstract

The article's aim is to determine analytical and normative limits of the Conflict Resolution field of research, to define its principle terms, concepts and paradigms, and to clarify terminological and conceptual confusion in this area. In the first part, authors try to define and classify conflicts, while in the second part they analyze different conflict resolution techniques. Topic of the third part is directed towards main paradigms with special emphasis on the human needs theory. In the conclusion authors observe constraints for conflict resolution, and try to establish the criteria for its successful overcoming.

Autori ovim člankom pokušavaju da odrede analitičke i normativne granice oblasti rešavanja sukoba, da izlože njene osnovne koncepte i paradigme, i da doprinesu smanjenju terminološke konfuzije koja u ovoj oblasti vlada. Prvi deo rada bavi se određenjem i klasifikacijom sukoba, drugi deo je posvećen analizi koncepata i tehnika rešavanja sukoba, dok se u trećem delu izlažu dominantne paradigme, s posebnim osvrtom na teoriju o ljudskim potrebama. U zaključku autori uočavaju određene prepreke na koje se može naići u procesu rešavanja sukoba i pokušavaju da ustanove kriterijume za njihovo uspešno prevazilaženje.