Escalation
Up Escalation Iceberg

 

 





 

Peace Education

Conflict Escalation

Escalating conflicts are also dangerous because
 
bullet conflicts can get out of control;
 
bullet fewer and fewer alternatives for action are available;
 
bullet violence is increasingly viewed as potential action and used;
 
bullet victory or defeat of the opponent is pushed into the foreground and no longer the search for common solutions;
 
bullet the conflict becomes personal;
 
bullet emotions take the upper hand;
 
bullet destruction and extermination become the main objective of action.

Friedrich Glasl defines nine stages of conflict escalation (see box on the right) to describe the dynamics of escalation.

A central task within the framework of constructively dealing with conflicts is to compare escalations in conflict with the various stages of de-escalation, and find answers and potential for action at all stages, in order to limit violence or exclude it altogether and make cooperation and solutions for negotiation the aim. Sensitivity and a realistic perception of the events of the conflict are just as important here as consciously rethinking and planning one's own steps.

 [Autor: Günther Gugel, Tübingen Institute for Peace Education; Editor: Ragnar Müller]


The Nine Stages of Conflict Escalation According to Friedrich Glasl

1. Calcification: standpoints calcify and take on a collisionary course. Awareness of the impending impact leads to agitation. Despite this, the conviction still remains that tension can be dissipated through discussion. The parties or positions are still mobile.

2. Debate: polarisation of thought, emotion and will takes place. Thinking in terms of black and white occurs along with a viewpoint of superiority and inferiority.

3. Action: the idea that 'talking no longer helps' and the strategy of fait accompli gains in importance. Empathy for the 'other side' diminishes, and the danger of wrong interpretations grows.

4. Images/Coalitions: rumors spread, stereotypes and clichés are formed. The parties manoeuvre each other into negative positions and fight. A search for supporters takes place.

5. Loss of face: open and direct aggression (unlawful) ensues which aims to cause the opponent’s loss of face.

6. Threat as a strategy: threats and counter threats increase. Escalation of the conflict accelerates due to ultimatums being made.

7. Limited attempts to overthrow the opponent: the opponent is no longer viewed as a person. Limited attempts to overthrow the opponent are seen as a 'fitting' and carried out. Reciprocating values: relatively slight personal damage is seen as a victory.

8. Dissipation: the destruction and dissolution of the hostile system is pursued intensively as a goal.

9. Together into the abyss: total confrontation ensues and there is no way back. Extermination of the opponent at the price of self-extermination is seen and accepted.

[Taken from: Friedrich Glasl: Konfliktmanagement. Ein Handbuch für Führungskräfte und Berater. 2nd edition, Bern/Stuttgart 1992]
 

[Back to top of page]

 

Subjects:  Human Rights  I  Examples  I  Democracy  I  Parties  I  Europe  I  Globalisation  I  United Nations  I  Sustainability

Methods:    Teaching Politics    II    Peace Education    II    Methods

     


 

This online service on the subject of political education was developed by agora-wissen, the Stuttgart-based Gesellschaft für Wissensvermittlung über neue Medien und politische Bildung (GbR) (Partnership for the Exchange of Information Using New Media and Political Education). Please contact us with your questions or comments. Translation from German into English by twigg's Übersetzung deutsch-englisch.