Conflict and crisis management: how to manage diversity and protect minorities -2017
Course type
Study programme and level
Language
slovenščina
Lectures | Seminar | Tutorial | Druge oblike študija | Individual Work | ECTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
40 | 160 | 8 |
Study programme and level | Study field | Academic year | Semester | |
Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2. degree – M.A. | Law, Social sciences | First | First |
Course Type
Elective
Lectures | Seminar | Tutorial | work | Individ. work | ECTS | ||
40 | 160 | 8 |
Lecturer
prof. dr. Mitja Žagar
Language
English
Prerequisites
Enrolment in the first year
Content (Syllabus outline)
Plurality, ethnic plurality included, is one of the basic characteristics of contemporary societies as well as all larger structures, (sub)systems and (social) organizations in those societies. Traditional concepts and models of unified, internally (ethnically) homogenous, symmetric and conflict-free societies, social systems and states contradict the reality. Conflicts are normal phenomena and state of affairs in plural and diverse societies; conflicts are consequences of the existence of different, possibly conflicting interests that exist in diverse societies. Consequently, plural and diverse societies, social systems and states need to develop such systems and models of organization and management that enable coexistence, expression, coordination, transformation, coming together and realization of different interests. These systems and models should consider that contemporary societies and larger social systems are usually complex, internally plural and diverse, non-homogenous and asymmetrical. Often symmetrical, hierarchical and homogenous (unitary) systems and models are ill equipped to manage complex and asymmetrical relations and diversities in those societies; as a consequence, rather than resolving problems in diverse environments they can generate dissatisfaction of those individuals and communities that are marginalized and contribute to the escalation of conflicts. However, diversity management is much more than just early detection, prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. It should include the development of human and institutional resources and potentials and should contribute to creating environments and situations that can reduce the possibility of escalation of conflicts. Consequently, diversity management contributes to coexistence, cooperation and creativity of all individuals and diverse groups/communities.
In this context, the course will focus on the following themes and concepts:
- Social phenomena as processes:
– relational/social, spatial and temporal dimensions of social phenomena as dynamic processes:
– Integration. Social exchange. Domination and liberation.
– Needs and interests. Opposing interests. Competition. Controversery.
– Collective behavior. Mobilization of frustrations and emotions in general. Social movements. Sources, developmental stages in radicalization of social movements.
2. Conflict (as social phenomenon):
- Concepts and definitions of conflict;
- Conflicts as normal social phenomena in plural and diverse environments;
- Development of peace and conflict studies and diversity management: process of managing socially relevant diversities in complex societies;
- Classics and development of philosophical, sociological and political thought on conflict;
- Life cycles of conflicts: Absolute and relative deprivation – sources of conflict and conflicting interests; escalation; de-escalation. Determinants of conflict.
- Conflicts as specific developmental processes. Functions and dysfunctions of conflicts. Crises and conflicts.
- Types and classifications of conflicts.
3. Prevention, management and/or resolution of conflicts:
– Crisis and conflict situations and escalation of conflicts.
– Direct conflict: social relations, types and patterns of behavior; aggression, violence and use of force (including arms) in conflict
– Regulation and management of crises and conflicts: Normative bases of conflict prevention, management and resolution. Rights as normative titles and demands.
– Management of crises and conflicts – Intermediation in conflict: (channels of) communication, negotiations, mediation, arbitrations, judicial and informal procedures and mechanisms.
4. protection and rights of minorities, particularly the rights and protection of ethnic and national minorities in ethnically diverse societies:
- Concepts and definitions of minorities; ethnic and national minorities as specific types of minorities;
- Standards, nature and types of minority rights and protection;
- Inclusion and integration and policies of inter- and multiculturalism.
In this context, the course analyzes relations among social groups and distinct communities, particularly those of which members differ in their language, culture, historic memories, belonging to the entity, identities and beliefs from the members of other groups and communities in the society, particularly those that form a majority. A minority is a social group/community that is numerically smaller than the rest of the population and finds itself in a non-dominant position (socially). Minority-majority as well as minority-minority relations are analyzed by the use of terms and concepts that describe processes of creation of mono-ethnic societies and processes of preservation of ethnically-plural societies. Minorities, particularly national minorities and their protection are studied in the context of international relations and international law, particularly from the perspective of international legal standards of minority protection. The other approach is the study of ethnic relations and policies as well as majority-minority and minority-minority relations in Slovenia and in the space/territory that is described as the Slovene cultural space.
Study Literature
READINGS:
Sandole, Dennis J. D. & Byrne, Sean & Sandole-Staroste, Ingrid & Senehi, Jessica, eds. (2009), Handbook of conflict analysis and resolution. London; New York: Routledge, 2009.
Pentassuglia, Gaetano (2002), Minorities in international law: An introductory study. Minority Issues Handbook. European Centre for Minority Issues. Council of Europe Publishing, 2002.
Conflict Resolution Skills. In: The Conflict Resolution Network, 12 Conflict Resolution Skills. (http://www.crnhq.org/twelveskills.html).
Galtung, Johan (2000), Conflict transformation by peaceful means (the Transcend Method): Panticipant’s Manual / Trainer’s Manual. United Nations Disaster Management Training Programme, United Nations, 2000. (http://www.transcend.org/pctrcluj2004/TRANSCEND_manual.pdf; see also: http://www.transcend.org/).
Žagar, Mitja (2006-7; 2008), “Diversity management and integration: From ideas to concepts.” In: European yearbook of minority issues, Vol. 6, 2006/7, Leiden; Boston: Brill, 2008, 307-327.
SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL READINGS AND SOURCES:
Azar, Edward E. (1990): The Management of Protracted Social Conflict: Theory and Cases (1990), Aldershot, Hampshire; Dartmouth Publishing Company.
Azar, Edward E. & BURTON, John W.(ear), eds. (1986): International Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice (1986), Brighton; Wheatsheaf.
Burton, John W.(ear) (1990): Conflict: Resolution and prevention. St. Martin’s Press; New York.
Capotorti, Francesco (1979/1990), Study on the Rights of Persons belonging to Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, New York: United Nations, 1979/1990.
Komac, Miran, ur. (2007), Priseljenci. Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2007.
Kymlicka, Will (1995), Multicultural citizenship: A liberal theory of minority rights. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1995.
Lantschner, Emma & Marko, Joseph & Petričušić, Antonija, eds. (2008), European integration and its effects on minority protection in South Eastern Europe. 1st ed. Baden-Baden: Nomos, 2008.
Monteville, Joseph V., ed. (1990): Conflict and Peacemaking in Multiethnic Societies, Lexington, Toronto; Lexington Books.
Parekh, Bhikhu C. (2006), Rethinking multiculturalism: Cultural diversity and political theory. Second edition. Houndmills [etc.]: Macmillan, 2006
Pentassuglia, Gaetano (2002), Minorities in international law: An introductory study. Minority Issues Handbook. European Centre for Minority Issues. Council of Europe Publishing, 2002.
Roter, Petra (2009), Narodne manjšine v mednarodnih odnosih. Ljuvljana: FDV, 2009.
Rothman, Jay (1992): Form confrontation to cooperation: Resolving ethnic and regional conflict. Newbury Park, London, New Delhi: Sage.
Stavenhagen, Rudolfo (1991), The Ethnic Question: Minorities, Conflict and Human Rights, Tokyo: The United Nations University Press, 1991.
Thornberry, Patrick & Estébanez, Maria Amor Martín (2004), Minority rights in Europe: A review of the work and standards of the Council of Europe. Council of Europe Publishing, 2004.
Žagar, Mitja (2002), “Some newer trends in the protection and (special) rights of ethnic minorities: European context.” – In Polzer, Miroslav & Kalčina, Liana & Žagar, Mitja, eds., Slovenija & evropski standardi varstva narodnih manjšin, (Zbirka Slovenija in Svet Evrope, št. 21). Ljubljana: Informacijsko dokumentacijski center Sveta Evrope pri NUK, Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, Avstrijski inštitut za vzhodno in jugovzhodno Evropo, 2002, 77-104.
Žagar, Mitja (2006/7; published 2008), “Diversity management and integration: From ideas to concepts.” – In: European yearbook of minority issues, (European yearbook of minority issues, Vol. 6, 2006/7). Leiden; Boston: Brill, 307-327.
Optional additional readings to be agreed upon with students.
Objectives and competences
All contemporary societies are plural and diverse. Ethnic dimension is one of important dimensions of socially relevant pluralities and diversities. The course aims to introduce the students to diversities in contemporary plural societies, to enable them to study situations and processes in specific environments, to present and understand policies of multiculturalism and train them for their execution. In this context short-term, long-term and strategic planning and strategies of diversity management are instrumental – also in combating exclusion, nationalisms and xenophobia and in promoting of tolerance, cooperation and peaceful management and resolution of conflicts. Additionally, following multi- and interdisciplinary approaches, the course presents basic concepts in ethnic studies and focuses on the emergence, evolution and historic development of the protection of national, ethnic and linguistic minorities, migration(s) and new minorities as well as their (social) integration. It aims to show the importance and practical use of research and expert knowledge for the formulation and execution of diversity, ethnic, migration and integration strategies, policies and legislation.
In this context, special attention will be paid to studying of conceptual and hypothetical models for sociological, political and socio-psychological understanding of interpersonal, group and system conflict – including mechanisms, processes, modes and results of prevention, management and resolution of crises and conflicts.
Intended learning outcomes
Students will
- understand and summarize key points in theories and research models of conflict processes
- critically assess signifance of conflict in interpersonal and social frameworks
- differ between direct and mediated conflict
- produce a paper about specific cases of conflict prevention, management and resolution
General competences and skills: research methods and approaches, analytical skills, expert knowledge, communication, linguistic skills, group work, use of the IT, strategic orientation, planning, diversity management and adaption to changes, prevention, management and resolution of conflict, creativity, leadership.
Specific competences: regulation and management of socially relevant diversities, particularly ethnic relations in ethnically plural societies; organization, management and work in plural environments, functioning of the state and state institutions; democratic processes in institutions and society; use of resources; strategic planning, reforms and plans of actions; analysis and interpretation of historic processes and contemporary trends – particularly from the perspective of ethnic relations; simulation of cooperation and creativity of individuals and distinct communities. Basic knowledge and skills necessary for the research and analytical work in the field of ethnic relations and minority studies; for those interested in applied knowledge and work, knowledge, competences and skills necessary for the elaboration of ethnic diversity management policies and their successful execution.
Learning and teaching methods
Teaching forms
- frontal instruction / lectures
- work in small groups
- individual student work
Teaching methods
- explanation
- conversation, discussion, debate
- working with texts and sources
- ICT
- case study
Assessment
Oral exam 50 %
Seminar paper 25 %
Presentation of seminar paper 25 %
Lecturer’s references
Selection of a few relevant publications from COBISS bibliography:
ŽAGAR, Mitja. Diversity management – evolution of concepts. V: BREZIGAR, Sara (ur.), LAVSKIS, Peter (ur.), SOLEM, Knut Erik (ur.), ŽAGAR, Mitja (ur.). International, constitutional, legal and political regulation and management of ethnic pluralism and relations, including prevention, management and/or resolution of crises and conflicts as components of diversity management : tematic issue, (Razprave in gradivo, št. 52, 2007). Ljubljana: Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja, 2007, str. 6-37. http://www.inv.si. [COBISS.SI-ID 10931533]
ŽAGAR, Mitja. Diversity management and integration : from ideas to concepts. V: BLOED, Arie (ur.), HOFMANN, Rainer (ur.), MARKO, Joseph (ur.), MAYALL, James (ur.), WELLER, Marc (ur.), KERMARK, Spiliopoulou (ur.), PACKER, John (ur.). European yearbook of minority issues, (European yearbook of minority issues, Vol. 6, 2006/7). Leiden; Boston: Brill, 2008, str. 307-327, ilustr. [COBISS.SI-ID 11217485]
ŽAGAR, Mitja. Citizenship and integration : general considerations and some possible impacts of the EU citizenship on (re)integration of immigrants. Razpr. gradivo – Inšt. nar. vpraš. (1990), 2008, št. 56/57, str. 70-118. http://www.inv.si. [COBISS.SI-ID 11206221]
ŽAGAR, Mitja. Strategies for the prevention, management, and/or resolution of (ethnic) crisis and conflict : the case of the Balkans. V: SANDOLE, Dennis J. D. (ur.), et al. Handbook of conflict analysis and resolution. London; New York: Routledge, 2009, str. 456-474, tabele. [COBISS.SI-ID 11127373]
ŽAGAR, Mitja. Human and minority rights, reconstruction and reconciliation in the process of state- and nation-building in the Western Balkans. European yearbook of minority issues, str. 353-406. [COBISS.SI-ID 11562317]
ŽAGAR, Mitja. Rethinking reconciliation: The lessons from the Balkans and South Africa. Peace confl. stud., Spring 2010, letn. 17, no. 1, str. 144-175. [COBISS.SI-ID 11742285]
Scientific, research, educational and expert work:
Researcher in and head of national, international and European research projects and the head of the Research Program in the field of ethnic studies, diversity management and particularly regulation and management of ethnic relations in plural environments.
Main expert positions and membership in national and international bodies:
– Invited expert with the Constitutional Commission of the Parliament (Assembly) of the Republic of Slovenia (1987, 1988-1991; 1990-1991 member of the group of experts on Human Rights and the Protection of Minorities).
– Drafting the bilateral agreement between the Republic of Hungary and the Republic of Slovenia on ethnic minorities (Agreement on providing special rights for the Slovenian minority living in the Republic of Hungary and for the Hungarian minority living in the Republic of Slovenia, signed 1992, ratified 1994).
– Adviser to the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia (1992 – 1995), member of the Expert Council (1994 – 1995), and Chair of the Expert Commission on the Culture of Ethnic Minorities and Immigrants (1996 -2001); Member of the Expert Commission on the Culture of Ethnic Minorities, Immigrants and Marginalized Populations (2001-2008) and of the Commission for the Projects of the EU Funds at the Ministry of Culture (2007-); Chair of Expert Commission on the Culture of Ethnic Minorities, Immigrants and Marginalized Populations (2008- )
– Member of the Expert Advisory Council of the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs (1995 – 1996).
– Member (expert) of the Special Delegation of Council of Europe Advisors on Minorities within the framework of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (1999-2001).
– Co-leader of the international Task Force 1 on Human Rights and Minorities of the Working Table I on Democratization and Human Rights of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (March 2000- November 2000); Chair of the Task Force 1 on Human Rights and Minorities (November 2000 – December 2003),
– Member of the expert team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia for the preparation of the OSCE Economic Forum 2005 during Slovenia’s chairmanship of the OSCE (2004-6),
– Member of the Human Rights Commission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government of the Republic of Slovenia (2005- );
– Cooperation with expert bodies of the Council of Europe, OESCE and especially High Commissioner f or National Minorities, MARRI, etc.
In addition to coordinating this MA program and teaching at the FSS, particularly within this program, he also teaches abroad, e.g.:
– Visiting Fulbright Scholar and Associate Professor (Associate Member of the Graduate Faculty – Visiting Associate Professor – courses: American Government, Comparative Government and Politics – Europe, Ethnic Studies, The Balkans) at the Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA (1993-1994);
– Visiting Associate Professor (Comparative Government and Politics, International Law, Ethnic Studies) at the Wayne State University in Detroit 1995 & 1996 (in Summer Semester);
– Professor (topics: Comparative Law, Federalism, Diversity Management, Conflict management and resolution) and co-coordinator of modules/courses on Law and Conflict Management in the Erasmus Mundus Joint European Master in Comparative Local Development – University of Trento, University of Regensburg, University of Ljubljana, Corvinus University of Budapest (2003-);
– Lecturer and co-coordinator of the course on Diversity Management: Prevention, Management and Resolution of Crises and Conflicts and lecturer in the legal field at the International Doctoral School in Local Development and Global Dynamics of the University of Trento and University of Bologna, University Corvinus of Budapest, University of Zhejiang, University of Freiburg, University of Manchester, State University-Higher School of Economics, Moscow, University of Monterrey, University of North Carolina, and University of Regensburg (2008 – );
– Professor (topics: Nation-states – Comparative Government and Politics, Federalism, Ethnic studies – Diversity management – prevention and management of crisis and conflict) in the Institute for Social and European Studies (ISES) MA Program in International and European Studies (University of Szombathely, Hungary) – Austria–Hungary Interreg IIIA project titled European University Institute, Köszeg II. and Corvinus University of Budapest (2005-);
– Visiting Professor (Regions in transition in South-Eastern European countries) in the Master in European Integration and Regionalism (Module III, Graz – Austria) – European Academy: EURAC Bolzano-Bozen, Italy and University of Graz, Austria (2005- );
– Visiting Professor (course: Protection of national minorities) in the MA Program European Regional Master’s Degree In Democracy And Human Rights In South East Europe (ERMA) – University of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Hercegovina & University of Bologna, Italy(2005 -);
– Coordinator and lecturer of the course Legal Approaches to Local Development within the Joint African Masters in Comparative Local Development – JAMP, offered by the University of Trento (Università degli Studi di Trento, Italy), Tshwane University of Technology, Polytechnic of Namibia and University of Botswana and St. Thomas University of Mozambique (2010 – );
– Numerous invited and guest lectures at universities, other higher education and academic institutions world-wide – within diverse undergraduate and (post)graduate programs as well as individual lectures (e.g., in Austria, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Serbia, South Africa, UK, USA, etc.; 1987- ).