Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.

Click to enlarge

Request Exam Copy Companion Site

Print Price: $199.99

Format:
Paperback
478 pp.
40 photos; 47 figures; 13 tables; 11 maps, 8" x 10"

ISBN-13:
9780195446548

Copyright Year:
2013

Imprint: OUP Canada

Introduction to Conflict Studies

Empirical, Theoretical, and Ethical Dimensions

Jean-Francois Rioux and Vern Neufeld Redekop

Introduction to Conflict Studies examines the nature, causes, dynamics, and ethical issues of all levels of conflict through a variety of theoretical lenses. With a strong awareness of the increasing complexity of conflict in the twenty-first century, the authors explore how and why conflicts start, how they escalate, and how they might be managed or resolved through such techniques as negotiation, mediation, peacekeeping, and reconciliation.

Readership : Introduction to Conflict Studies is intended for introductory courses in conflict studies taught out of conflict studies programs and political science, sociology, psychology, and law departments at the first- and second-year university level.

Reviews

"This text covers an impressive amount of intellectual ground. . . . The authors have capably presented both the unity and diversity of conflict studies."

--Nathan Funk, University of Waterloo
"The book covers a vast array of theoretical literature and would be very useful for someone coming to the subject matter for the first time."

--Paul Gecelovsky, University of Western Ontario

Part I: Background
1. What Is Conflict?
The Definition of Conflict
The Objects of Conflict
The Structure of Conflict
Disputes, Contests, and Conflicts
Is Conflict Always Destructive?
Conflict, Aggression, Violence
Part II: Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Contemporary World
2. Small Group and Interpersonal Conflict
Trends in Small-Scale Conflict
Entangled Conflicts
Violence in Small Group and Interpersonal Conflict
Conflict Resolution at Ground Level
3. Large-Scale Societal Conflict
Discordant Societies
The Increasing Complexity of Major Societal Conflicts
Violent and Peaceful Transformations
Conflict Resolution at the National Level
4. International Conflict
A World of Conflicts
The Growing Complexity of International Conflicts
The Relative Decline of International Violence
An Increasing International Repertory of Conflict Resolution Processes
Part III: The Causes of Conflict
5. Is Conflict Behaviour Rational?
What Is Rational Behaviour?
Liberal Economics and Conflict
Two Examples of the Rational Choice Theory in Conflict Studies
Game Theory
Critiques of the Rational Choice Approach
6. Are Conflicts Driven by Biological Needs?
Biological Roots of Human Conflict
Population, Resources, and Conflict
A Biological Approach to Emotions
Complex Adaptive Systems
7. The Psychology of Conflict
Psychoanalysis
Behaviourism
Personality and Conflict
Social Psychology and Conflict
8. Conflict as a Social Outcome
Political Power and Conflict
Economic and Class Conflict
Social Change and Conflict
Cultures, Identity, and Conflict
Gender and Conflict
9. Recent Philosophical Approaches to Conflict
The Philosophical Tradition
Critical Theory
Postmodernism
Relations between Self and Other
Mimetic Theory: The Contribution of René Girard
Part IV: Conflict Resolution
10. How People Behave in Conflict
Behavioural Approaches
Levels of Consciousness
Tactics
Communication
Conflict Escalation
11. Processes for Dealing with Conflict
Addressing Conflict
Negotiation
Conciliation
Group Intervention Processes
Mediation
Arbitration
Adjudication
Authoritative Allocation
Traditional Processes
Modern Conflict Resolution Systems
Unusual Methods of Conflict Resolution
12. The Prevention and Resolution of Violent Conflict
Diplomacy
The Rise of Negotiated Peace Settlements
Contemporary Peace Agreements
Peace Missions
Coercive Actions and Peace: Chapter VII and Beyond
Peacebuilding
Confidence-Building Measures
Disarmament and Arms Control
13. Reconciliation
Etymologies
Approaches to Reconciliation
The Complexity of Reconciliation
Reconciliation as a Goal
Reconciliation as a Process
Case Studies of Reconciliation
Part V: Ethical Issues
14. Conflict, Violence, and Ethics?
Values, Principles, and Goals
Ethical Drivers of Conflict
The Just War Tradition
15. What Role Does Justice Play?
Justice and Conflict
Origins of Justice
Just Institutions
Justice in Context
Aspects of an Unjust Action
Paradigms of Justice
Mercy, Pardon, and Forgiveness
16. What Is the Relationship Between Conflict and Peace?
Definitions of Peace
Peace as an Orientation
Non-violence
Peace Research and Peace Education
Peace Challenges
Critical Reflections
17. Ethics and Conflict Specialists
Ethical Vision
Reflective/Reflexive Practice
Deontological Moments
Moral Dilemmas

Instructor's Manual
For each chapter:
Learning objectives
List of key concepts with definitions and page references
Chapter overviews
Annotated list of recommended teaching aids (websites, films, books, journal articles)
Topics for debate
Discussion questions
Class activities
PowerPoint slides:
Lecture slides grouped by topic
Image Bank:
All photos, figures, and tables from the book available electronically
Student Study Guide
For each chapter:
Chapter summary
Glossary of key terms
10 multiple-choice questions
10 true-or-false questions
3-5 short-answer questions
Answer key to SSG questions
E-Book (ISBN 9780199000647):
Available through CourseSmart.com

Dr Jean-Francois Rioux is an associate professor in the Department of Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University. He's written extensively on conflict studies, Canadian foreign policy, and armed conflicts, including two books in French and one in English.

Dr Vern Neufeld Redekop is an associate professor in the Department of Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario. He has written numerous articles, papers, and contributed chapters on conflict studies and resolution, and has published three books on the subject.

Making Sense in the Social Sciences - Margot Northey, Lorne Tepperman and Patrizia Albanese
Approaches to Peace A Reader in Peace Studies - David P. Barash
Madness in the Multitude - Fen Osler Hampson, Jean Daudelin, John Hay, Holly Reid and Todd Martin
Nations, States, and Violence - David D. Laitin
Ethnic Conflict - Stefan Wolff

Special Features

A multidisciplinary approach examines the nature of conflict from biological, psychological, sociological, and philosophical perspectives, showing students how various disciplines have contributed to the study of conflict.
Integrates classic theoretical works with cutting-edge research, illustrating how past developments inform current approaches.
Historical coverage throughout explores the evolution of the main schools of thought as well as the contributions of key figures to this emerging field.
Written for students new to the discipline, the text's accessible writing style will engage students while giving them the background information they need to reflect on the practical and theoretical issues at the heart of conflict studies.
Case studies of actual conflicts and processes - such as the Esquipulas Process in Central America and the conflict between the Nuers and the Dinkas in southern Sudan - bring theory to life by examining real-life events and outcomes from around the world.
Topical boxes showcase key facts, figures, and events in order to pique student interest and highlight current debates and defining moments in the discipline.
Discussion questions at the end of each chapter encourage students to think critically about the causes of human conflict and the techniques and processes used to bring about resolutions.
A comprehensive ancillary package - including a Student Study Guide, an Instructor's Manual, and PowerPoint slides - offers additional resources for both students and instructors.