Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Order Description
Students are asked to choose a post-1945 conflict. The essay is to be divided in two (more or less equivalent) halves: the first half of the essay will analyse the conflict from a realist
perspective, examining the causes, principal actors and outcomes from a realist standpoint; the second half will examine the same conflict and its causes, principal actors and outcomes from a
conflict resolution (human needs-based perspective).

CONFLICT REPORT/ESSAY STANDARD OUTLINE

I. Introduction
a. Identify the conflict you have chosen, give very brief background.
II. Realist Approach
a. Who are the main actors in this conflict
i. Refer back to the theory and reference the key points you raise
ii. Reference your empirical material to solid references (academic sources if dealing with conflicts that are more than 10 years old; quality news sources acceptable for more recent conflicts)
b. What are the main issues/causes of the conflict?
i. As above
c. How did the conflict end (if it did)?
i. As above
III. Needs-based Approach
a. Who are the main actors in the conflict?
i. As above
b. What are the main issues/causes of the conflict?
i. As above
c. How did the conflict end?
i. As above
IV. Conclusion: which is the best approach and why or if both highlight different important aspects you can also make this point.

NOTE: If one approach does not fit at all, then you use the section to analyse why realism or needs-based approach does not fit this conflict in terms of actors, issues/causes, and ending.
You need to at least refer back to the core texts for each approach and to other solid referencing on your conflict and on the theory to score highly.