Conflict Management

Definition

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The concept "conflict management" refers to striving towards reducing the intensity of a conflict by controlling its generators, in light of a party's lack of will or ability either to overcome its opponent or to resolve the conflict.

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Background

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The logics behind "conflict management" relies on either (1) deferring the resolution of the conflict, under the assumption that it is currently impossible to resolve or win the conflict; or (2) the assumption that the continuation of the conflict is preferable to its resolution.

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While conflict resolution necessitates the consent of both parties, conflict management can be achieved also through unilateral or third-party-coordinated actions.

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Reducing the intensity of the conflict includes reducing the negative economic, political and security negative implications of the conflict.

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The relation between conflict management and conflict resolution changes from one conflict to the other. However, a substantial decrease in the intensity of a conflict, may serve as a disincentive for the parties to strive towards a permanent solution.