ABSTRACT
Theory and practice are two important and highly inter-related phenomena. This chapter focuses on them as they affect each other, in the context of the field of peace and conflict studies. With the election of Donald J. Trump to the US presidency, many domestic and international policy actions have been proposed and some have been undertaken, which are at great variance from peace and conflict studies theory. After years of tensions between Iran and the US, a transformation in an important component of that antagonism was achieved. Iran had been making progress in its program to produce nuclear weapons, despite US imposed sanctions during George W. Bush’s presidency. The course of South Africa’s transition away from apartheid entailed social movements and numerous non-governmental organizations, acting in concert and in opposition. Joyce Neu, a person with many years of experience in mediation and other conflict resolution work around the world, spells that out vividly.
