UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSSUKA

FACULTY OF BIOLOICAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

A TERM PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FUFILLMENT FOR THE

REQUIREMENT OF THE COURSE GSP202 (PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES)

TOPIC: SUMMARY OF THE BASIC CONCEPTS IN PEACE AND CONFLICT

STUDIES.

GROUP TWO (2)

LECTURER: MRS S/N ONAH

1
 GROUP TWO LIST

NAME REG/NUMBER

1. ANUKA PRECIOUS DABERCHI 2020/241437

2. ANYAOHA CHISOM MARYJANE 2020/244547

3. ARJI STANLEY ONYEBUCHI 2019/244906

4. ARUMA MARTHA OGECHI 2019/242112

5. ASADU DANIEL IFEANYI 2020/241572

6. ASOGWA JANEFRANCIS UCHENNA 2020/241545

7. ATTAH VIVIAN CHINWENDU 2019/243529

8. ATTAMAH CHINDINMAH SYLVIA 2020/241454

9. ATTAMAH RUTH NKECHI 2019/243245

10. AYOGU EBUBECHI GLORY 2019/248293

11. AYOGU EBUBECHUKWU 2020/246104

12.AZODO PASCALINE CHINECHEREM 2019/248325

13. BELONWU ONINYECHI MARY C. 2019/242493

14. BEN ORJI LOTANA 2019/251440

15. CHIALU MICHEEIIA GLORY 20688502EF

16. CHIDERA INNOCENT IBETO 2019/242499

17. CHILAKA CHINENYENWA ANGELA 2019/251376

18. CHIMA PHILEMON EMEKA 2019/246927

19. CHINEDU FAVOUR CHINENYE 2019/243832

20. CHINWUBA ALEX KOSI 2020/242797

21. CHUKWU JULIET CHINAZAM 2019/250502

22. CHUKWUIGBO CALISTUS UGOCHUKWU 20214057CF

23. CHUKWUDE EZINNE F. 2019/246032

2
24. CHUKWUEMEKA CHISOM GIFT 2019/246009

25. CHUKWUAMAKA ONYINYEI 20681329JF

26. CHUKWUMA JUDE CHISOM 2019/249141

27. CHUKWUMA OGBONNA GODWIN 2018/251082HD

28. CLIFFORD IZUCHUKWU ANWANACHUKWU 2019/250052

29. DENEN DEBORAH TERKUMA 2019/242101

30. DIKE DOUGLAS DIKE. 2019/246888

3
 INTRODUCTION

The concepts of peace are multi-disciplinary in nature cutting through disciplines like
social sciences, humanities and even the science. These concepts have been found to be
central to discourses on peace and conflict studies. And have therefore been collected to
form the terms and concepts used in the theses field. Some institution embarked on the
collection and publication of these concepts. The UPEACE (United Nations University for
peace), the United States institute for peace (USIP) and the London early warning network
e.t.c.

ORIGIN OF THE TERM (PEACE)

Peace originated it root meaning from the Anglo-Norman word (pas), Meaning
freedom from civil disorder. This English word became famous from the year 1300
having been translated from the biblical term pax and Greek word eirene. It also has a
rooting from the Hebrew word shalom, same root word as salaam for Arabic. This
means a condition of safety, welfare, security, friendliness, fortune and prosperity.

DEFINATIONS OF PEACE AND CONTROVERSIES.

The concept of defining peace as a whole has been a problem as there is no

precise universal accepted definition of peace.

1. Einstein (1969) argued that peace is not the absence of war but the presence of
justice, law, order and even government.
2. Johan Galtung developed the concept of negative and positive peace. Negative
peace is the absence of direct violence while positive peace is the absence of all
other form of violence. Thus he was the father of peace and conflict studies for
recognizing the two proponents of negative and positive peace. He further
classified violence into direct, structural and cultural violence. The issue of
positive and negative peace divided the view of peace into two group;

4
(a). The maximalist- the positive peace supporters or (structuralist)

(b). The minimalist – the negative peace supporters or (pragmatist)

3. King stands on peace as- true peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is
the presence of justice.

4. However, Howard added that peace is more than just the absence of war but
that is also “the maintenance of an orderly and just society”.

5. Webel quipped that peace in its progressive or dialectical mode denotes active
individual and collective self determination and emancipator empowerment.

6. from Francis of Bradford Peace studies Department holds that peace is boh the
absence of war, fear , anxiety and the creation and maintenance of a just order
society.

7. Mial then divides the term peace into six elaborate meaning;

a. as the absence of war i.e. absence of direct violence.

b. as justice and development i.e. absence of structural violence.

c. as respect and tolerance between people

d. as Gaia meaning the harmony or balance in and with the ecosystem and
ecosphere. Gaia originates from Greek word Gai`a i.e. primordial earth goddess
literally meaning earth.

e. as tranquility or inner peace i.e. spiritual peace and lastely;

f. as wholeness and making whole (being complete)

5
CONTROVERSIES

The concept of defining peace kept revolving, in the year 2005, the university of
peace saw it as a political condition that ensure justice and social stability, through
formal and informal institutions, practices and norms. To this definition, Ibeanu
disagrees defining peace more as a process involving activities directely or indirectely
linked to increasing development and reducing conflict both within specific societies in
the wider international community. This definition was however scrutinized by Nwolise,
who contend making peace a dynamic process that never end will give political leaders
and their defense and security force an un regulated field to commit blue murder abated.
He qualifiers that if there be a definition of peace it must posses quantifiable indices that
will help pine the real enemies of peace. This position is supported by historical findings
reflected in Adolf (2009) work. But it of importance to state that Ibeanu position implies
the need to continuously search for and work towards achieving peace. But Nwolise
worry is simply that Ibenu talks about peace as a process without providing checks
against abuse by dictatorship. Thus he conclude peace classifying the into eight levels;
1. Inner or personal peace 2. Community peace 3. Family peace 4. Group peace 5.
National peace. 6. Regional peace 7. World peace 8. Universal peace.

Akpan even went on qualifying peace as hot, cold, tenuous, armed, guided and
active peace. This did not yet satisfy the definition of peace. Other adjectives used were;
warm peace by Miller, precarious peace by George, stable peace by Boulding and civil
peace by Soysa and Fjelde.

The closest to the best definition of peace was then given by Trotle, because he
captured the minimalist and maximalist proponents as Johan Galtung the father of peace
did. Thus defining peace as a state of well-being i.e. characterized by trust, compassion
and justice.

6
 We conclude thus with the spiritual dimension of peace which is when there is no
conflict between humans and their maker. It suggests the state of harmony between
human beings and his creator. Thus man is composed of 2 realities the material i.e. the
body, the immaterial i.e. soul/spirit and creation of a spiritual creator.

PEACE-KEEPING

Peace-keeping refers to the UN or regional bodies efforts towards public security

in conflict zones and help restore in the after math of war or civil violence especially by
a sanctioned military force. Peace-keeping by the United Nations is role held by the
department of peace operations and helps countries to create the conditions for lasting
peace. The UNSC known as united national Security Council is the only organ
authorized to deploy peace-keeping forces.

Types of UN peace-keeping operations (PKOs);

Type I: known as first generation PKOs, involves observance where a cease fire has
been brokered.

Type II: PKOs focus on aiding political transitions in conflict zones.

Type III: PKOs involves active actions to create peace

Type IV: PKOs contained activities focusing on post-conflict reconstruction or peace-

building.

Principles of UNPKOs are consent, impartially and non use of force. They usually
conduct operations like disarmament, demobilization, reintegration of ex-combats,
protection and promoting of human rights, electoral assistance e.t.c.

7
PEACE ENFORCEMENT

Peace enforcement refers to the use of military assests to enforce a peace against
the will of the parties to a conflict. For instance, when a ceasefire has failed which
means an agreement to stop fighting a war for a period of time. An example of this peace
enforcement is the African mission in Somalia which is described as peae enforcement
operation.

Objectives: enforcing cease-fire, establishment protection of human right, assistance

with humanitarian aids.

PEACE BUILDING

Peace building was coined from Johan Galtung known as the father of peace and
conflict studies. Peace building is a process of encouraging people to talk, repairing
relationships, reforming institutions and building bonds of peaceful benefit among
nations formely at war.

CONFLICT

From the Latin word “confligere” which means “to clash or engage in a flight”.
Conflict could be intra or inter personal, intra or inter group, intra or inter national and
global. They are inevitable in social interactions and do not occur in a vaccumn (i.e
conflict reside within organization and individual members).

Causes of conflict;

1. Resources – such as money, gold, oil, power or respect.

2. Values- as a result of disrespect for other people’s values or beliefs

3. Communication gap and psychological needs

8
WAR

War is an armed conflict between two or more parties with the intention to
compel. Clause Witz described war as not merely a political act but also a political
instrument.

WARCRIMES

War crimes refer to the violations of the law of war that gives rise to individual
criminal responsibility for actions y the combatants. Examples of such act are murder,
torture, rape, deportation hostage taking, destruction of non-military objects like
hospitals and the use of outlawed weapons. These war crimes are prohibited y 1949
Geneva conventions and Geneva protocol of 1977.

VIOLENCE

This is the majorly divided into two types; direct and structural . But for this
course it is divided into six namely; physical violence , spiritual violence, structural
violence , psychological violence, cultural violence and environmental violence.

- Physical violence is simply describes as physical harm inflicted on a person by a

subject. It is also called direct violence, and his divided into two; 1. Personal violence,
which is an act of violence committed in inter-personal relationship. example; rape, and
2. Mass violence, example; genocide.

- Structural violence; unlike physical violence has no subject or one that commits the
crimes. Instead, it results from the nature of political or socio-economic structures or
policies in the society. Example; unemployment, poverty e.t.c.

9
- Psychological violence; simply refers to imaginary harm that people are scared of.
Example children that hide when they hear the sound of their father’s vehicles horn are
experiencing psychological violence.

- Cultural violence; occurs when there is a justification of any form of violence. An

examples is the approval of the killing of twins by cultural beliefs.

-Environmental violence; this is a type of harm that is done to the ecosystem. The effects
of global warming. This type of violence can cause conflicts in the society.

- Spiritual violence; this occurs when harm is caused to humans, by either spiritual
beings or other humans through spiritual forces. Although, some scientist refuse to
believe spiritual forces. It cannot be denied by many Africans.

CONFLICT PREVENTION

Conflict refers to the efforts channeled to controlling conflicts to avoid escalation.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Conflict management means controlling a conflict situation to reduce the potential

of escalation.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Conflict resolution simply means different approaches in resolving conflicts non

violently.

CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION

Conflict transformation is a deeper level of conflict resolution referring to positive

changes in conflict situation. There are five components of conflict transformation
namely;

10
 - Actor transformation
- Issue transformation
- Rule transformation
- Context transformation and ;
- Structure transformation.

ALTERNATIE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR)

ADR refers to a variety of non-judicial processes for resolving conflict. These include;
negotiation, mediation, arbitration, conciliation, private judging, neutral expert fact-
finding, minitrial, summary jury trial and moderated settlement conferences.

1. Arbitration: Arbitration is a process a neutral third party conducts an informal

hearing and makes a decision based on the information provided at the hearing. The
neutral third party/external entity is known as the arbitrator and decides the issue, the
outcome of which the conflictants where have agreed will be binding. The arbitrator is a
knowledgeable and mutually acceptable person. The arbitrators are expected to focus on
the content of the conflict and means of resolving them.
2. Conciliation: Is an ADR process whereby the parties to a dispute use a conciliator
who meets with the parties both separately and together in an attempt to resolve their
differences. Conciliation differs from arbitration in that the conciliation process in
and of itself has no legal standing and the conciliator has no authority to seek
evidence or call witnesses. Conciliators focus on identifying the sources of the
conflicts and then making suggestions on its resolution to the parties in conflict.
3. Negotiation: Negotiation is a common way for people to resolve problems and
deal with conflict. It is a face-to-face discussion aimed at reaching an agreement on a
conflicting situation. There are five (5) collaborative stages of the negotiation process:

11
 (i) prepare (ii) information exchange (iii) bargain (iv) conclude (v) execute. Building
trust in negotiation is key and communication skills are critical during bargaining.
4. Mediation: Mediation is defined as the intervention of a third party unfamiliar to the
conflict, trustable, unbiased and intending to be neutral to assist the parties through
constructive discussion and negotiation of their issues in order to reach a mutually
acceptable resolution. Mediation is a voluntary process.
5. Security: Security is defined as being free from danger or feeling of being free from
harm or threats. This feeling may occur in the individual or in a group. There are two
broad classification of security: (i) traditional security (ii) non-traditional security.
In traditional security, the greater danger to a country is from military threats
while non-traditional security consists of dangers such as terrorism, human right, and
global poverty and health epidemics. Non-traditional security makes human the
referent object. It is also referred to as “human security”. There are two schools of
thought on the nature of human security, the narrow school and the broad school. The
narrow school thinks that the focus of human security should be limited to political
violence against the people by the state while the broad school the focus of human
security, should include other sources of insecurity to the human population.

MULTI- TRACK DIPLOMACY (MTD)

This narrates a procedural approach that is premised on the assumption that

conflict management and peace. Building capacities reside in many not the few. John
Mc Donald and Louise Diamond who co-founded the institute for MTD developed the
concepts of multi-track diplomacy. The concept expands an earlier distinction between
track I(official, government action) and track II(unofficial, non-governmental action)
approaches to conflict resolution made by Joseph Onteville in 1982.

12
 Mc Donald (1996) believes that there are nine response techniques that explain the
values of partnership in peace-making activities. They are nine level of multi-track
analysis include:

1. Track I: government: this involves the use of secured instruments in enhance

compatible relationships and suppressing hostile human affairs. This approach is usually
force driven and less creative in conflict and peace intervention, especially in developing
world.

2. Track II: Non-government and professionals: this approach covers intervention and
management initiatives by non-governmental or professional individuals and groups.
The track enjoys creativity, flexibility and relative degree of openness but suffers from
unregulated conduct, inadequate resources, and over- reliance on donor funding e.t.c.

3. Track III: business: this is a conflict and peace intervention approach that bridges
socio-economic opportunities and responsibilities. It promotes enabling business
environment in a stable social order. This track has a vast financial resource available for
conflict and peace building intervention, but often exploits humanity due to corruption
and greed.

4. Track IV: private citizens: this approach uses the several intervention and
management strategies that are adopted by the people themselves to enhance compatible
relationships and address hostile activities on voluntary basis. This track 4 offers
incredible opportunity for the display of citizen power, and more importantly. For
ownership of conflict and peace processes. But the track is a verse to establishing
partnership with track 1(government)

5. Track V: Research training and education: this is an approach that supports the
analytical tool, and generates information on conflict and peace dynamics for policy and
action. This track enriches understanding of issues, actors, nature, character, and
13
dynamics of peace and conflict and lays the foundation for more enduring human
interaction in a given system. It is the brain of the system but sometimes portrays
information as an end in itself.

6. Track VI: activism: the approach is classified as the “fire-brand” model of peace and
conflict intervention and management. It includes the activities of individuals and
organizations that position themselves as advocates of the oppressed and champions of
the marginalized. But sometimes, the track generates conflicts and become parties to a
dispute.

7. Track VII: religion: this track depicts the engagement of faith-based leaders and
groups in conflict and peace intervention. In plural societies, track 7 helps in building
bridges across religious divides and mitigate the capacity of radical religious groups. But
the track treats religion as exclusive of their vital conflicting or harmonious issues in a
system, and also become basic for violent interactions.

8. Track VIII: funding: the activities of bilateral and multilateral donor communities in
conflict and peace intervention are covered here. Impart of track viii is most felt in
emerging democracies and developing word due to high incidence of poverty and bad
governance . Donors either initiate or buy into peace building activities variety of
reasons. These range from promotion of national interest to conscious desire to
overcome poverty and secure lasting improvements in quality of lives.

9. Track ix: media: the media is a cross cutting issue that affects other track and defines
the context and dynamics of conflict. It often determines and influences the attitude and
behaviours of conflict actors and stakeholders for shaping perceptions towards conflict
transformation. But media actors and stakeholders sometimes become conflict parties for
obvious business purposes.

14
CONCLUSION

It is very difficult if not impossible to discuss all the concepts and terms used in a
field of study especially in a multi-disciplinary field such as peace and conflict studies.
The above selected few concepts are the ones that beginners may familiarize with and
from there, advance to other concepts and terms.

15
16