ABSTRACT
Globalization in its various forms (social, cultural, and political as well as economic), has often contributed negatively to conflict. By creating hardships leading to grievances, by disrupting social cohesion or arousing xenophobia and fundamentalism in reaction to outside influences, or by sustaining, even escalating violence through the flow of resources (currencies, weapons, personnel), globalization has served to perpetuate armed conflict. Various aspects of globalization often impact upon the protagonists in conflict, contributing to transformation or resolution of conflicts. They may affect conditions that promote transformation, such as a mutually hurting stalemate, awareness of possible solution, elimination of asymmetries, neutralization of spoilers, or other factors. We examine four kinds of non-state actors, related to globalization, which may affect conflict transformation: the media, diasporas, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
