Assignment Feedback
In this discussion, the answers are provided for both assignments. In some instances,
a brief explanation is given why it is the answer. All the questions were based on
discussions in your study guide. If you need a more extensive explanation, you should
go back to the relevant sections and study them carefully again. In some instances,
you might benefit from consulting available sources on the internet. Many of these
topics are discussed in open sources, and a simple search will take you to them.
PSC3702 ASSIGNMENT 01
1. Kumar Rupesinghe – not Johan Galtung
Rupesinghe concentrates on conflict transformation. It is therefore a comprehensive
approach which includes both attitudinal and structural changes in society. Galtung
did not insist on both, because for him it depends on what the nature of the
incompatibility is.
2. Preliminary bargaining or normalisation
3. Package deal agenda
4. Contradiction or incompatibility
Contradiction can be described as the “mismatch between social values and social
structure”. The mismatch can involve the existing value system, perceptions of
scarcity or physical limitations of the availability of material goods.
5. No
The parties involved in arbitration agree that they will accept the outcome of the
process and therefore not appeal against it.
6. No
7. Correct
8. The state has interests of its own and can therefore be one of the causes of
conflict.
Pluralism is not linked specifically to a free market dispensation. It can be associated
with different types of economic systems, so long as different economic interest
groups are involved in the economy. Pluralism sees the state as a “referee” in the
interactions between interest groups. It is therefore not one of the active “players”
with interests of its own, in the decision-making processes in conflict resolution.
9. Amnesty – not restorative justice
You should note that it is only amnesty which can be used in both situations. Other
aspects of restorative justice, such as truth commissions or tribunals and courts can
only be used in the second category of confidence-building but not to build
confidence in starting with a negotiations process.
10. Cultural conflict
, 11. Attitudes
Confidence is a perception or feeling. It is about trust in others. Trust is a human
attitude and therefore confidence-building directly addresses the attitude problems.
12. Package deal
A number of agenda items suggests the idea of a package of agenda points
(therefore a package deal agenda). A fractionated agenda would be a reduction in
the number of agenda points.
13. Politics as conflict
States are often motivated by power, national interests and their international status.
The is represented in Realism, which is associated with “politics as conflict”. Conflict
resolution concentrate on means to reduce the conflict potential, and therefore
proceeds from the social contract to look at political instruments such as elections,
negotiations, the role of judiciaries and parliament to address social and political
issues.
14. No
15. Positional negotiation
It is positional, because the two parties took different positions at the start of the
negotiations. Their differences of opinion resulted in the deadlock. The interest-
based approach is based on the elements of people, interest, options and criteria.
16. John W. Burton
Gurr is associated with the relative deprivation theory, Skocpol with the post-
structural theories and Davies with the J-curve theory. Burton is the only one
involved in the human needs category.
17. To expose hidden truths about the past.
Truth commissions are not intended to punish perpetrators, that is done by courts or
other judicial bodies. They are also not allowed to deal with the crimes of genocide
and war crimes, because only the International Criminal Court or international
tribunals can do it.
18. International Court of Justice
19. Human security is the pursuit of freedom from threat.
20. “Failure of the state” theories – not post-structural theories
Post-structural theories consist of a number of theories. This question refers
specifically to the “failure of the state” theories but not to the other post-structural
theories
21. Power mediation
See the discussion of “Deadlock-breaking mechanisms” on page 85.
In this discussion, the answers are provided for both assignments. In some instances,
a brief explanation is given why it is the answer. All the questions were based on
discussions in your study guide. If you need a more extensive explanation, you should
go back to the relevant sections and study them carefully again. In some instances,
you might benefit from consulting available sources on the internet. Many of these
topics are discussed in open sources, and a simple search will take you to them.
PSC3702 ASSIGNMENT 01
1. Kumar Rupesinghe – not Johan Galtung
Rupesinghe concentrates on conflict transformation. It is therefore a comprehensive
approach which includes both attitudinal and structural changes in society. Galtung
did not insist on both, because for him it depends on what the nature of the
incompatibility is.
2. Preliminary bargaining or normalisation
3. Package deal agenda
4. Contradiction or incompatibility
Contradiction can be described as the “mismatch between social values and social
structure”. The mismatch can involve the existing value system, perceptions of
scarcity or physical limitations of the availability of material goods.
5. No
The parties involved in arbitration agree that they will accept the outcome of the
process and therefore not appeal against it.
6. No
7. Correct
8. The state has interests of its own and can therefore be one of the causes of
conflict.
Pluralism is not linked specifically to a free market dispensation. It can be associated
with different types of economic systems, so long as different economic interest
groups are involved in the economy. Pluralism sees the state as a “referee” in the
interactions between interest groups. It is therefore not one of the active “players”
with interests of its own, in the decision-making processes in conflict resolution.
9. Amnesty – not restorative justice
You should note that it is only amnesty which can be used in both situations. Other
aspects of restorative justice, such as truth commissions or tribunals and courts can
only be used in the second category of confidence-building but not to build
confidence in starting with a negotiations process.
10. Cultural conflict
, 11. Attitudes
Confidence is a perception or feeling. It is about trust in others. Trust is a human
attitude and therefore confidence-building directly addresses the attitude problems.
12. Package deal
A number of agenda items suggests the idea of a package of agenda points
(therefore a package deal agenda). A fractionated agenda would be a reduction in
the number of agenda points.
13. Politics as conflict
States are often motivated by power, national interests and their international status.
The is represented in Realism, which is associated with “politics as conflict”. Conflict
resolution concentrate on means to reduce the conflict potential, and therefore
proceeds from the social contract to look at political instruments such as elections,
negotiations, the role of judiciaries and parliament to address social and political
issues.
14. No
15. Positional negotiation
It is positional, because the two parties took different positions at the start of the
negotiations. Their differences of opinion resulted in the deadlock. The interest-
based approach is based on the elements of people, interest, options and criteria.
16. John W. Burton
Gurr is associated with the relative deprivation theory, Skocpol with the post-
structural theories and Davies with the J-curve theory. Burton is the only one
involved in the human needs category.
17. To expose hidden truths about the past.
Truth commissions are not intended to punish perpetrators, that is done by courts or
other judicial bodies. They are also not allowed to deal with the crimes of genocide
and war crimes, because only the International Criminal Court or international
tribunals can do it.
18. International Court of Justice
19. Human security is the pursuit of freedom from threat.
20. “Failure of the state” theories – not post-structural theories
Post-structural theories consist of a number of theories. This question refers
specifically to the “failure of the state” theories but not to the other post-structural
theories
21. Power mediation
See the discussion of “Deadlock-breaking mechanisms” on page 85.
