Generic Principles for Resolving Intergroup Conflict

Destructive intergroup conflict saps resources, perpetuates injustice, and wreaks horrendous costs on individuals and societies. Generic principles are developed for analyzing, confronting, and resolving intergroup conflict by drawing on theoretical, empirical, and practical work in applied social science. The principles are compatible with humanistic values and planned social change and are illustrated with reference to three case studies of intergroup conflict. Principles of analysis specify the areas of exploration and the nature of communication required to effectively understand destructive intergroup conflict. Principles of confrontation indicate the qualities of intergroup interaction and the nature of the problem‐solving and negotiating processes necessary to successfully address the conflict. Principles of resolution enumerate the requirements and outcomes necessary for intergroup conflict to be transformed to a mutually acceptable state that is self‐supporting and self‐correcting.