Why Conflict Management and not Conflict Transformation?
“It can be argued that conflicts are neither inherently good nor bad, but simply facts of life. While this argument is often used in the introduction of articles and books on the subject, it is clear that many of us think that conflict is not a good thing. This assumption is revealed in the terms used by scholars and practitioners of various approaches to dealing with conflict-“prevention,” “reduction,” “settlement,” or “termination.” But other terms have been used too-for example, “conflict management,” “conflict resolution,” and “conflict transformation.” “Conflict management” is often chosen as the appropriate term as it reflects a belief that conflict is an ongoing part of life which, while it may not be ended, can at least be managed constructively. The term “conflict resolution” more clearly suggests that conflict can be ended successfully. Those favouring the use of the term “conflict transformation” argue that both the conflict management and conflict resolution perspectives fo
