1 Introduction to Track III Perspectives: Transforming Protracted Political Conflicts in Post-Conflict and Active Conflict Societies

Abstract

The introductory chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book. First, it sketches the theoretical framework underlying the escalation dynamics of intergroup protracted political conflict in deeply divided societies. Subsequently, their ramifications on post conflict (Northern Ireland) and active conflict (Israel) societies are delineated. The chapter outlines the emerging Track III perspective, focusing on bottom-up interventions designed to transform protracted political conflict into constructive encounters among individuals and groups in deeply divided societies, while juxtaposing this framework with Track I and Track II approaches of engaging protracted conflicts. Finally, the introduction provides an overview of the chapters in Part 1 and in Part 2, which underscore the experiences of those involved in Track III actions in natural spaces of encounter.

Deeply entrenched political conflicts persist in highly diverse countries and societies all over the globe, perturbing interpersonal, intergroup and international relations and disrupting daily life, often with grave consequences. Recent devastating manifestations of protracted political conflicts in Africa, Eastern and Central Europe and Middle East, attest to the adverse ramifications, exacerbated by global intricacies such as COVID-19 and mounting climate crisis.

This volume attempts to explore and unravel a Track III perspective – an emerging framework aimed at developing an inclusive approach to engaging political conflicts and building peace. This perspective captures bottom-up interventions designed to transform protracted political conflict into constructive encounters among individuals and groups in deeply divided societies. The book breaks new ground by discussing and juxtaposing living experiences and insights of scholars and practitioners related to participative, bottom-up efforts of conflict metamorphosis to cooperative relations between long-standing antagonists (Shotter & Tsoukas, 2014).

Protracted political conflicts tend to implant deep and enduring psychological and social negative residues on the individual, group, community, organizational and the wide society levels (Desivilya Syna, 2020). They constitute an extreme epitome of a divided society and display certain features such as persistence, inevitability of frictions and confrontations, threatened rudimentary needs, convictions that the discord is intractable and usually upsurges of severe violence (Bar-Tal, 2011). Such sequel lays the foundations for conflict escalation dynamics: accumulative multi-modal (cognitive, emotional, motivational and behavioural) and multi-level (individual, intra-group, intergroup and societal) modifications in the adversary parties’ relations (Coleman, 2000; Krisberg, 1998; Pruitt & Olczak, 1995; Syna Desivilya, 2004).

At the individual level, escalation erodes the motivation for contact with the adversary. In addition, the escalation process engenders growing obstinacy on all sides, fosters increasingly negative mutual emotions, invidious perceptions and growing distrust towards the other. This destructive process also manifests in disrupted communication among the rival parties and mounting aggressive behaviours geared at blaming the other, retaliation and vengeance (Desivilya Syna, 2020).

Concurrently with the increasingly negative changes at the individual level, the escalation process involves transformations at the group level and at the wider societal level. The intragroup metamorphosis demonstrates growing ethnocentrism and groupthink. Each group tends to justify its own goals while delegitimizing the other. Moreover, group leaders manifest growing efforts to impose intragroup conformity and suppress any dissent (Bar-Tal, 2011; Coleman, 2000; Pruitt & Olczak, 1995; Syna Desivilya, 2004). Mounting polarization places great pressures on individuals and groups through intimidation or withdrawal of different kinds of support. Hence, they feel they have no other alternative than to join one of the rivalry collectives.

The potency of the escalatory dynamics and the resulting negative cumulative changes develop due to a circular causality, where hostile motivation, adverse feelings and attitudes, destructive behaviour, and an antagonistic environment cultivate and sustain each other. Such a hurtful sequel produces increasing hopelessness regarding the odds of settling the protracted conflict (Syna Desivilya, 2004).

Approaches to rebuilding divided societies entrenched in legacies of escalation

The adverse multimodal and multilevel legacies provide the impetus for scholars, practitioners and policy makers to explore and experiment with a variety of approaches and methods, aimed at counteracting the disruptions and rebuilding divided societies through conflict transformation.

These approaches largely build on attempts to create shared spaces for constructive encounters, allowing not only joint attainment of interests but also facilitating meaningful expression of each party’s voices (Desivilya Syna, 2020).

Extant research has not yet sufficiently explained the ongoing contact and interactions involved in intergroup relations in real life situations and especially in post-conflict and active conflict societies (Desivilya Syna, 2020; Raz-Rotem, Arieli, & Desivilya Syna, 2021; Schäffer, Kauff, Prati, Kros, Lang, & Christ, 2021). In particular, Paolini et al. (2016) have stressed the importance of the temporal dimension, by showing how the history of contact with out-group members and the interactions between them can have both positive and negative impacts. Schäffer et al. (2021) have provided specific evidence based on a series of experimental, survey and qualitative studies together with an integration of research through meta-analysis. They conclude that not only the history of contact matters but also underscore the contribution of the type of interaction – whether they are episodic or continuous – with the latter yielding more experiences of positive than negative contact. These scholars call for further research on the nature of contact, at the micro, meso and macro levels in specific real life contexts such as workplaces, neighborhoods and public spaces. Special attention should be pointed at the consequences of negative contact and ways to mitigate its adverse effects on the relationships between diverse individuals and groups.

Consequently, fostering positive transformation of relations between ‘rival’ parties, in the context of precarious incremental residues of protracted political conflict necessitates pooled resources, joint mobilization and shared actions of all stakeholders. These efforts should be directed at multiple levels (macro, meso and micro) and the different modalities of human experience that is motivation, emotions, cognitions and behaviors (Bekerman, 2018; Dixon et al., 2012; Syna Desivilya, 2004).

Such approaches encompass social and educational initiatives aimed at engendering a system-wide transformation of relations between the ‘adversaries’ in real-life settings. This involves fostering deep and constructive interactions between diverse employees, students, and community residents (Friedman, et al., 2019). Moreover, these ventures attempt to foster reflective practice among the diverse protagonists in workplaces, public spaces and communities (Desivilya & Rottman, 2012; Friedman, et al., 2019). Another important ingredient of conflict transformation in real-life settings constitutes developing genuine partnerships, involving constant dialogue among the stakeholders – social entrepreneurs, facilitators, participants and local leadership (Desivilya & Palgi, 2011; Desivilya & Rottman, 2012).

The multi-modal and multi-level approach of conflict transformation requires involvement of active third parties. This allows assisting the diverse parties to uncover the latent intricacy of confronting ‘otherness’ in organizations and communities engulfed by escalated and protracted discords. The third party actions entail divulging elusive signs of de-legitimization, discrimination, exclusion and silencing of voices. In parallel with these interventions, vital support can be provided to negotiate the terms of engagement, notably negotiating power-relations, by developing a critical stance and building the capacity and skills of the parties (Eden & Huxham, 2001).

This volume frames the approaches aimed at counteracting the escalatory far-reaching consequences, rebuilding divided societies and transforming intergroup relations within a novel perspective labeled Track III.