Abstarct Moonis Ahmar

PPSCR

Dept.of Intl Relation, University of Karachi

Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution



	DECEMBER 22-23, 2001 - CONFERENCE ROOM DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI



ABSTRACT WHY RETHINKING THE PARADIGMS OF CONFLICT RESOUTION? MOONIS AHMAR* Why is there a need to rethink the paradigms of conflict resolution at the international level and also in the context of South Asia? How the world could be peaceful and stable if new paradigms of conflict resolution are established? These are the questions, which are raised after the events of September 11 and require an in depth discussion. Conflicts cannot be avoided in most cases because the clash of interest at the individual, group and state level provides logical basis of conflict formation. What is however dangerous in the process of conflict transformation is its violent shape. Conflicts at micro and macro, inter and intra-state level in today's world can effect the entire humanity. The American led war against terrorism has a basis in simmering conflict in the volatile region of the Middle East. When the Arab- Israeli conflict, particularly the one concerning Palestinian statehood could be resolved amicably, the outcome was the emergence of various terrorist groups operating against the United States, from different countries including Afghanistan. Seen in this context, the task of conflict resolution becomes extremely difficult when injustices caused by a dominant power in conflict forces the weaker party to resort to other means, including terrorism. Five important paradigms which since long have continued to shape conflict formation, escalation, prevention, management and resolution processes are as follows:- 1. International System 2. State structures. 3. Society. 4. Groups. 5. Individuals. Following the events of September 11, 2001 there has occurred a major change in the paradigms of world order. The debate which is going on after September 11 is not on examining gaps in the paradigms of conflict resolution and peace process but why there is need to rethink the two approaches and how challenges to international peace and security emanating after terrorist attacks on New York and Washington could be successfully met. The post-second world period had witnessed new paradigms of international relations in which conflict resolution and peace process played an important role. After the collapse of Soviet Union and the unfolding of New World Order in 1991, the paradigms of conflict resolution and peace process were reformulated. The third time when the paradigms of conflict resolution and peace process are in the process of re-examination has occurred after September 11. From 1945 to 1990 and from 1991 to 2001, the paradigms of conflict resolution and peace process remained confined to traditional settings. After September 11, there is a need to rethink such paradigms because the rational of global politics has changed to one major issue, i.e. terrorism. It is in the dichotomy of growing insecurity and fear at the international level to deal with the threat of terrorism that the paradigms of conflict resolution and peace process must be re-examined and re-formulated. This paper will raise and respond following questions:- What are the paradigms of conflict resolution? To what extent such paradigms were able to seek the management and resolution of conflicts and peace? How the events of September 11 have created a situation to re-think the paradigms of conflict resolution and peace process? What alternate paradigms of conflict resolution could be created and what are the likely obstacles in this regard? Why and how the paradigms of conflict resolution could be reformulated in the South Asian context? * Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi

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