Contemporary and International Conflict Management

This course introduces students to the manifestations and analysis of contemporary conflict in Europe (and elsewhere). It will be discussed whether present-day conflicts are different from classical war, both in terms of origin and the way they are conducted and eventually solved. Several, sometimes contradictory, analytical and theoretical approaches to contemporary conflict will be looked at. These vary from (Neo-)Malthusian approaches focusing on scarcity, approaches dealing with state-society relations and governance or with issues of nationalism and identity, to political economies of violence and discursive approaches to conflict. In the second week the attention shifts from analysis to policy practice. Students will be exposed to recent European and international policy and practical developments in conflict management.

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