Module 1 View of Module Breakdown
Design View of Module Breakdown
Welcome & Introduction
Discussion:
Answers in chat or google doc or zoom whiteboard Lesson 1-1 - Alternative Definitions of Conflict
Conflict is a fractal. The same patterns of conflict can be observed at different levels of society, from interpersonal relationships to large-scale social and political conflicts. Conflict is a search, for example, in asking questions that invite authenticity, open-hearted communications, and partnership Conflict is a way to learn about ourselves and others, and to build stronger relationships. Conflict is an intrinsic feature sof creativity and innovation. Conflict is a catalyst for growth and personal development. Conflict provides an opportunity to practice empathy and develop better communication skills. Conflict can uncover important information and perspectives that may have been previously overlooked. Conflict can be a powerful tool for promoting change and progress. Conflict can lead to deeper understanding and appreciation of others’ experiences and viewpoints. Conflict can help us identify and address systemic issues and injustices. Conflict can foster resilience and perseverance. Conflict can ultimately lead to greater harmony, cooperation, and collaboration. Conflict is the sound made by the cracks in a system. It is the voice of the new paradigm, a call for change in a system that has outlived its usefulness.
Conflict is an opportunity
It shows us what matters most to one another It’s scary because it matters Lesson 1-2 - Components of Conflict
Essential Features of Conflict (when it goes wrong)
The parties involved are interdependent; each needs something from the other, and they’re vulnerable if they don’t get it They blame each other and find fault with each other for causing the problem They are angry, fearful, or frustrated, or feel emotionally upset; these emotions may be obvious and known or disguised and unknown to parties involved There are breakdowns in relationships, which impact people at an individual level, but can also reduce organizational. effectiveness and undermine movement values There are many different kinds of cost associated with conflict, including political costs, and these can be reduced or prevented by learning how to respond more skillfully Three-Ingredient Recipe for Conflict
2 or more people with different information and life experiences. (NOTE: any two adult humans will easily meet this criteria.) Lack of awareness of self or other. negative emotion (fear, threat, shame...) Adversarial, competitive or highly bureaucratic system/process/context zero-sum, win/lose process Structural obstacles to collaboration Three Elements of Social & Political Decision-Making
There are three distinct elements that form the basis of effective political analyses, social problem-solving, conflict resolution and decision-making: Content, relationship and process.
To have effective social and political decision-making, one must cultivate these three elements: Content: The substance or content of the problem must be successfully identified, discussed, addressed, and resolved. Relationship: Everyone who is impacted by a problem must be involved, and the relationship between the people who trying to solve or make decisions about it, must be respectful, constructive, trusting, and collaborative. Process: The process of solving problems and making decisions must be inclusive, transparent, effective, and fair. Lesson 1-3 - The Heart of Conflict
Why Is conflict so hard and such an important opportunity.
Sources of conflict and why we get stuck Power, Rights and Interests
Throughout history, there have been three ways that humans have responded to conflict:
Power-based approach: In the earliest form of resolving conflicts, power was used to determine the winner and the loser. This approach relied on the most powerful group or individual to win. Power could take various forms, such as physical strength, social influence, or hierarchical structures. However, this approach is unsustainable as the loser may seek revenge, leading to long cycles of conflict. Rights-based approach: The next approach to resolving conflicts was based on rights. This system allowed equal access to justice for everyone regardless of demographic details. Laws were developed as guardrails of society to avoid falling into the abyss of conflict. However, the challenge of this approach was that laws tend to be made by people in power, and a rights-based approach still relied on the winner-loser binary. Interest-based approach: The newest way of resolving conflicts is based on interests. This approach focuses on finding solutions rooted in the specific needs and interests of the individuals involved. It involves finding common ground by exploring the underlying interests and needs, which can be universally recognized. Interest-based conflict resolution requires time, effort, and skill, but it works. The solution to institutionalizing mediation and interest-based thinking into our global culture is to change the way we respond to conflict. We need to integrate mediation into our day-to-day lives and language, making it part of our culture. It may be challenging, but it is necessary to evolve and prosper as a species.
DISCUSSION: So now that we understand what's going on... Why is political conflict so challenging?
Political Conflict
Closing
Takeaway check (type into chat):
How do you feel towards conflict now? What is conflict? (don't say "opportunity") Where we're going from here
All of conflict management is about creating a safe container to find out what's under the surface. How to discover other peoples needs (hint: we're going to use the most powerful tool in the universe) Later: Interest based conflict resolution. Power, rights & interests Why does this person in this context care?