Seeking a Final Victory: Creating Conditions for Conflict Resolution
Abstract
Military victory alone does not resolve the conflict that precipitates the use of force. Unfortunately, latent conflicts are being resurrected world-wide, thereby increasing the potential for U.S. involvement. The problem is that conflict resolution is not well understood. As a result, conflicts seem to assume a cyclic characteristic, perpetuated by the renewed efforts of succeeding generations. The intent of this paper is to improve our understanding of conflict resolution. Theoretical concepts and an historical examples are examined to provide the intellectual basis for a model that describes a method to establish the preconditions for conflict resolution. The model focuses on the purpose of a state in a conflict, which is to cause change is an opponent. The model concludes that the change, which is a pre-requisite for conflict resolution, has to be substantial enough to cause both states to willingly agree or compromise so the issue is no longer contestable. The study offers conclusions and recommendations for further study. The project is not intended to be a final product; however, it should serve to incite further research and discussion about conflict resolution among students and practioners of strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA264842
Entities
People
- Leon H. Rios
Organizations
- United States Army War College