ABSTRACT
Conflicts between individuals, groups, and nations are an inherent aspect of human existence. Conflict management involves the deliberate choice of a strategy to affect the structure, or process, of a conflict relationship. Several types of responses to conflict may be identified; conflict prevention, conflict escalation, and conflict resolution. The development of a contingent approach to conflict management has been a long and complex process. A number of perspectives for learning, and utilizing, conflict management behaviors may be suggested. Conflict management by third parties encompasses a very wide range of activities. Third party intervention can be understood as a means-ends relationship, in which a conflict is not allowed to run its ‘natural’ course. A number of useful contributions have been made toward a theory of conflict management in general and third party intervention in particular. In addition, a diversity of strategies and social technologies have been offered as promising routes to conflict management.
