ABSTRACT

The Advantages of Links with Weak Peripheral Groups in Environments of Conflict
Ivan Gyozo Somlai

 

In 2002, approximately 7 years after the insurgency in Nepal had commenced, it had become obvious that consecutive attempts at negotiations between the government and the Maoists had failed and no end to hostilities was in sight. Through connections with both sides I was then requested to seek reasons and make recommendations for overcoming this impasse. A need-based research up to 2007 to enable meaningful negotiations was thereupon initiated, resulting in pertinent findings such as: an obstinate reliance on traditional bilateral (antagonist-protagonist) negotiations when such forms may be anachronistic and contextually inappropriate; the existence of peripheral stakeholders (called ‘web in the shadows’) which by their diversity and potential or real influence could affect the outcome if properly channeled; sustained interference by outside actors (especially the UN, US, UK, India and even Pakistan); the multiplicity of sectors affected and the complexity of finding durable resolutions, thus favoring an interdisciplinary approach. I embarked on a resulting investigation of other applicable research as well as processes enabling peripheral groups to have a platform for input on the fate of—in effect—their own country.

One promising concept which has resonance with this quest is that of weak links, which holds that assiduous use of weak ties can enhance access to novel, non-redundant information, can be crucial for technical advice and diffusion of ideas, strengthen collective expertise and bridge social classes and networks. Such a concept blends admirably with my original insurgency stakeholder research and consequentially recommended Trans Stakeholder Approach (TSA); moreover the concept has been adapted by various disciplines. In this presentation I shall attempt to show how salient features of weak link theory can be pragmatically applied to the TSA and enhance interdisciplinary extrapolations, thus contributing to resolution efforts in conflict environments. My purpose is not to prove a theory but to provoke participants with possibilities and motivate exploration of interdisciplinary research.

 

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