Conflict and Identity as a Major Impetus in Escalating or De-Escalating Conflict

Abstract

Identity is a complex phenomenon and so is conflict. When examining the two together we can understand why some of the world’s most difficult ethnic conflicts are long term and protracted. This paper aims to analyze how identity and conflict could prevent and manage conflicts, caused by different perceptions of the identity. After all, identity can be used to escalate conflicts and connected with power and resources, identity can also be used to de-escalate conflicts as well. The purpose of this paper is to make a comparative study of the relationship between identity and conflict.