Mutual recognition as a means of peaceful conflict transformation

Abstract

Why do we tend to use violence to deal with our conflicts? This is one of the questions we often ask ourselves when we become aware of this tendency to deal with conflict situations we experience in everyday life. In response, we claim that it is easier to use violence, that there is no other way to do things or that we are simply used to acting that way. But are we right? This paper challenges these claims, arguing that there are several alternatives to regulate conflicts and that we have the capacity and means to do so peacefully. The key is to accustom ourselves to rebuilding our peaceful abilities and to strive to implement new, non-violent habits. To this end, peaceful conflict transformation is presented as the preferred method for positive conflict regulation, and its main characteristics are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the value of mutual recognition based on an analysis of Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition, which reaffirms the role played by recognition in shaping human identity.