CONFLICT PROVENTION, HUMAN NEEDS and CONFLICT/DISPUTE
Posted by Site Staff on Thursday April 24, 2008
The newsletter presents this supplement to readers so they may obtain a greater understanding of disputes and conflicts increasing knowledge to further analyze and understand these processes and empower the ability to avoid litigation. Abraham Maslow, psychologist developed a Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs explaining in terms of survival not only what they are but also placing them in order of importance and development. A Theory of Human Motivation by A.H. Maslow, 1943 originally published in
Psychological Review, 50,370-396.
The positions of Abraham Maslow and John Burton, “Conflict-Dispute Distinction” In Conflict: Resolution and Provention. New York St. Martins Press, Inc. July, 1990 are that matters, which are intractable such as basic human needs, cannot be resolved through traditional Alternative Dispute methods requiring greater effort and levels of organization utilizing all available methods with the inclusion of all stakeholders. Disputes on the other hand are issues, which can be resolved through traditional Alternative Dispute Methods.
Maslow describes in a triangular hierarchy physiological needs and psychological needs. Food, water and shelter being physiological followed by the need for safety and security, love/belonging. Self-esteem and finally personal fulfillment through self-actualization. John Burton would add freedom, cultural security, participation and distributive justice. One theory regarding protracted or intractable conflict is unmet needs are critical and fundamental. Problem-solving workshops, facilitation or focus groups maintaining concentration on unmet needs can assist in moving toward some form of resolution. Underlying causes however must be sought out and dealt with.
One might ask, “what does this have to do with Alternative Dispute Resolution? The answer is disputes can generally be resolved through traditional Alternative Dispute Resolution methods,
whereas conflicts are involved with unmet human needs such as food, water, territorial security, personal security, self actualization, self esteem and wellbeing; national security fears result in conflicts. It is important to recognize these differences in order to differentiate. Recognition of these differences will enable persons to better understand disputes and conflicts furthering abilities to manage or resolve same.
Former President Jimmy Carter in the Camp David Accords-Conciliation, Shuttle Diplomacy, escape litigation, February 17,2008 supplement chose to keep the principle parties separated
while shuttling messages and negotiations back and forth. John Burton in Conflict: Resolution and Provention. New York St. Martin’s Press, 1990 uses the term “conflict provention” to describe conflict prevention through looking at assumptions made in unmet basic human needs enabling analysis of the underlying causes of a conflict. By dealing with underlying causes and resolving them Burton believes conflict (provention) prevention can occur not only for the present but the future.
When involved in arguments or disagreements find the underlying causes not symptoms and move to reconcile them.
THANK YOU FOR READING THIS SUPPLEMENT AND FOR YOUR ONGOING PATRONAGE. COME BACK AND READ THE MAY, 2008 NEWSLETTER ISSUE. WE WILL BEGIN WITH NEGOTIATIONS.
