The Inescapable Persistence of Conflict: A Review of the following: The Nature of Intractable Conflict: Resolution in the Twenty-First Century

摘要

With titles of "intractable conflict" and "enduring conflict," these books have a similar ring. Yet they are markedly different, in aims, approaches, and conclusions. Christopher Mitchell's is a "follow-up" of his groundbreaking textbook The Structure of International Conflict, first published in 1981. After more than 3 decades, the field of conflict analysis and resolution has exploded in all directions, theoretically, practically, and spatially, and previous work cannot simply be updated. Hence, Mitchell chose to write a wholly new version, his own "take" on a field which is almost unrecognizable from its beginnings. After an opening chapter that challenges any notion of human nature being naturally aggressive, the book moves on to look at definitions, sources and emergence of conflicting "parties" and from this to classifications of intractable conflicts. Ensuing chapters cover the dynamics of the perpetuation of conflict, prevention, mitigation, regulation, insti-tutionalization of international rules, termination, innovation, and, finally, reconciliation. If this list makes the book seem dry, it is not: It is certainly a tour de force, but highly readable and with a critical edge that combines realism with a degree of optimism about what might make hatred if not end then at least be less damaging.