Andrew Heys

The ashes of conflict resolution

Conflict resolution—what is it? Peacemaking? Effectively and efficiently resolving disputes? Creating justice? Solving problems? It remains largely unclear. At the very moment that we try to grapple with that question, we face yet another: Has conflict resolution made a difference? In the case of the most difficult international conflicts, the answer must be a categorical no. Why has international conflict resolution failed to make a difference? Generally, there are two causes for die failure. The first is intellectual—conceptually conflict resolution remains divided. A second cause for failure resides in the institutionalization of the field. Resolve these two difficulties and conflict resolution will move ahead. Let them continue to stagnate and the field will die an ignoble death.