ABSTRACT
This chapter explores constructive and destructive dimensions of natural resource management (NRM) conflict and attempts to distinguish them from each other. It discusses both types of factors, and relies on Simmel's conceptualization of conflict. Mouffe's purpose with this distinction is different than that in the present study; her intention is to emphasize the importance of understanding society as political and to identify opportunities for radical, pluralistic democracy. Mouffe criticizes neo-liberal political philosophy for making universal consensus the goal of politics, and denying the political aspect of politics. Terminology developed for investigating face-to-face interaction is used in order to understand the dynamic of constructivity and destructivity in NRM conflicts. The perspective advocated here provides immediately practical suggestions for how both environmental communication researchers and natural resource managers could understand and work with both constructivity and destructivity.
