4
Peace and conflict
How conflict begins, changes and ends — and what meaningful peace requires.
Peace and Conflict examines more than the presence or absence of war. It explores different meanings of peace, conflict, violence and non-violence and asks whether peace should be understood as order, security, justice or a transformation of harmful political and social relationships.
You will study direct, structural and cultural violence, as well as latent and overt conflict. These distinctions help explain why a society may appear peaceful even when inequality, exclusion or oppression remain.
The unit also examines the actors and stakeholders involved in conflict. These may include states, armed groups, protest movements, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, mediators, affected communities and individuals. Students will consider how these actors influence the escalation, continuation, de-escalation and resolution of conflict.
The notes explore causes of conflict, different types of conflict and their political, economic, social, legal and environmental consequences. They then examine peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, reconciliation and transitional justice.
The final notes investigate difficult debates surrounding the justification of violence, self-defence, humanitarian intervention, pacifism, civil disobedience, violent and non-violent resistance, terrorism, genocide, arms proliferation and deterrence.
This thematic study has been organized into eleven notes. The notes use analytical frameworks, theoretical perspectives and a limited bank of adaptable case studies so that students can compare explanations, evaluate responses and develop supported political judgments.
Eleven notes for the Peace and Conflict thematic study
Peace and Conflict has been organized into the eleven notes below.
| No. | Note title | Notes | Slides | Audio | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Refer | ||||
| 1 | Contested Meanings of Peace and Conflict | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 2 | Violence and Non-Violence | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 3 | Actors and Stakeholders | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 4 | Conflict Dynamics | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 5 | Causes of Conflict | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 6 | Types and Consequences of Conflict | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 7 | Peacemaking | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 8 | Peacekeeping | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 9 | Peacebuilding and Reconciliation | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 10 | Justifications of Violence and Political Protest | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 11 | Terrorism, Genocide, Arms and Deterrence | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| Revision | Refer |
Extra YouTube channels
These optional channels can help students follow contemporary political issues, encounter different perspectives and connect the thematic study to current examples.
Recommended channels will be added here.
External videos are supplementary resources. Their arguments, evidence and perspectives should be examined critically and should not replace the course notes.