Analysing and Synthesizing the Effects of Conflict: A Comparative Study of the Gaza Conflict and the Russian-Ukraine War
Abstract
The article analysed and synthesised the effects of conflict on individuals and relationships by comparing the Gaza conflict to the Russian-Ukraine war. The study investigated the social psychological aspects of these conflicts, including issues of social justice, trust and distrust, communication, and the role of emotions and persuasion, using key concepts "The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice" as well as other relevant theories. The analysis emphasised the complex dynamics at work in these conflicts, such as the interaction of identity, sovereignty, and self-determination, as well as the profound psychological and social consequences for individuals and communities. The study identified common themes and differences between the two conflicts, focussing on the overall effects of conflict on individuals and relationships, such as psychological trauma, trust erosion, and communication breakdowns. The findings emphasised the significance of including these social psychological dimensions in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts. The paper proposed strategies for constructive conflict resolution, such as encouraging cooperative attitudes, communicating effectively, establishing trust, and dealing with emotions. It concluded by emphasising the need for a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to conflict resolution that addresses the underlying root causes and incorporates inclusive, participatory processes to achieve sustainable peace.
Keywords: Conflict, Comparative Study, Gaza Conflict, Russian-Ukraine, War
References
Ainsworth, S. H. (2020). Rational Choice Theory in Political Decision Making. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.1019
Barron, E. N. (2024). Game theory: an introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
Bazerman, M. H. (2005). Negotiation, decision making and conflict management, Vol 1–3. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Bolin, G., & Stahlberg, P. (2023). Managing Meaning in Ukraine: Information, Communication, and Narration Since the Euromaidan Revolution. MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/14147.001.0001
Chimakati, F. M. (2024). Evaluation of Cross-Cultural Communication, Diversity and Building Harmony Leadership at Teachers Service Commission of Kenya. African Journal of Emerging Issues, 6(4), 103-116.
Chimakati, F. M., & Macharia, I. (2024). Fostering Innovation and Change Through Learning Culture Leadership: A Case of Kenya Commercial Bank (Kcb) Of Kenya. African Journal of Emerging Issues, 6(6), 26-38.
Coleman, P. T., Deutsch, M., & Marcus, E. C. (Eds.). (2014). The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice. John Wiley & Sons.
Cristofaro, M. (2020). “I feel and think, therefore I am”: An Affect-Cognitive Theory of management decisions. European Management Journal, 38(2), 344-355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2019.09.003
de Oliveira Dias, M. (2019). People, Process, and Substance: Current Definitions on Negotiation. People, 1(4).
Dembińska, E., & Rutkowski, K. (2020). The reception of Dr Ludwik Jekels’“apostolic activity” to promote psychoanalysis in Poland before the outbreak of World War I. Part 2. Psychiatr. Pol, 54(6), 1231-1254. https://doi.org/10.12740/PP/81669
Deutsch, M. (1973). The resolution of conflict: Constructive and destructive processes. American Behavioral Scientist, 17(2), 248-248. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872674900200301
Gaucher, D., & Jost, J. T. (2011). Difficulties awakening the sense of injustice and overcoming oppression: On the soporific effects of system justification. Conflict, interdependence, and justice: The intellectual legacy of Morton Deutsch, 227-246. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9994-8_10
Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2005). New developments in social interdependence theory. Genetic, social, and general psychology monographs, 131(4), 285-358. https://doi.org/10.3200/MONO.131.4.285-358
Kelman, H. C. (2007). The Israeli-Palestinian peace process and its vicissitudes: Insights from attitude theory. American Psychologist, 62(4), 287. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.62.4.287
Korobkin, R. (2024). Negotiation theory and strategy. Aspen Publishing.
Korostelina, K. (2015). Reproduction of conflict in history teaching in Ukraine: a social identity theory analysis. Identity, 15(3), 221-240. https://doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2015.1057283
Krasynska, S., Marples, D. R., & Mills, F. V. (2015). Digital civil society: Euromaidan, the Ukrainian diaspora, and social media.
Kriesberg, L. (2007). Constructive conflicts: From escalation to resolution. Rowman & Littlefield.
Kuzio, T. (2017). Ukraine between a constrained EU and assertive Russia. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 55(1), 103-120. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12447
Lederach, J. (2015). Little book of conflict transformation: Clear articulation of the guiding principles by a pioneer in the field. Simon and Schuster.
Matveeva, A. (2018). No Moscow stooges: identity polarization and guerrilla movements in Donbass. In The Ukrainian Crisis (pp. 25-50). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315186719-3
Meltzer, B., Petras, J., & Reynolds, L. (2020). Symbolic interactionism (RLE Social Theory): Genesis, varieties and criticism. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003074311
Mykhnenko, V. (2020). Causes and consequences of the war in Eastern Ukraine: an economic geography perspective. Europe-Asia Studies, 72(3), 528-560. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2019.1684447
Paffenholz, T. (2014). Civil society and peace negotiations: Beyond the inclusion–exclusion dichotomy. Negotiation Journal, 30(1), 69-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/nejo.12046
Petro, N. N. (2015). Understanding the other Ukraine: identity and allegiance in russophone Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia: People, Politics, Propaganda and Perspectives, Bristol, United Kingdom: E-International Relations Edited Collections, 19-35.
Pizer, S. (2021). Building bridges: The negotiation of paradox in psychoanalysis. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003221098
Tabassum, I. (2020). The importance of negotiation and conflict management. Journal of Management and Science, 10(2), 15-19. https://doi.org/10.26524/jms.2020.2.4
Trenin, D. (2014). The Ukraine crisis and the resumption of great-power rivalry (pp. 1-38). Moscow: Carnegie Moscow Center. https://doi.org/10.1080/1060586X.2015.1005903
Tsygankov, A. (2015). Vladimir Putin's last stand: the sources of Russia's Ukraine policy. Post-Soviet Affairs, 31(4), 279-303. https://doi.org/10.1080/00905992.2014.954103
Yekelchyk, S. (2015). The early 1960s as a cultural space: a microhistory of Ukraine's generation of cultural rebels. Nationalities papers, 43(1), 45-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/00905992.2014.954103
