Development denotes change in organizations of a society. If a society tries to develop its economic structure from that of an agricultural economy to a combination of agriculture and industry, it will lead to change in the economic system of that particular society. Development and change are intertwined and once there is development there will be changes in various social aspects, most especially human relationship. Development and change are common phenomena which are to be anticipated. Take Thailand of five decades ago for example. Thailand was mainly an agricultural economy but thanks to the industrial development plan the country is now a newly industrialized nation. Exports from Thailand include both agricultural produce and industrial products. This has led to change in the production pattern and the concomitant results of having more technically skilled labor, new management pattern, technical education, foreign direct investment, etc. There is also change in the other aspects such as a higher degree of urbanization in the capital city and the Eastern Seaboard. With urbanization, mushrooming of the mass media and a higher level of education attainment of the people are to be expected. This is buttressed by the new information technology gadgets leading to social media and social network with ramification of social and cultural changes.
But once development and change occurred, it will inevitably lead to conflict of various types. Industrial development leading to change in the in the economy will bring about a new mode of production which will lead to economic conflict. There may be scramble for water between agriculturists and industrialists. There could be conflict between owners of the means of production or factory owners and workers over wages. Firms may be in fierce competition for market share. There would be demands for a more open political system in which the people can participate in the decision process. Demands for a fair share in wealth, status and power can be on the agenda of political demands from those who are now politically conscious. The list can go on. In this regard, one can say that whenever there is development which will lead to change, there will inevitable conflicts. Conflicts are to be expected in a society which has undergone changes due to the development process. Indeed, it is observed that industrial development will lead to conflict between industrialists and environmental protectors. But the fact is pollution is part of development. When industries have sprung up, the environment no matter how hard one may try to curb the negative impact will have some degree of pollution. Environmental problems are signs of development, so goes the saying. The same is true for inflation. A developing economy will be followed by inflation due to the volume of money involved and the increase in spending by those who have earned more income.
But since conflict is inevitable and it is to be anticipated, the issue is how conflict can be resolved. This is the core issue. Conflicts are common phenomena and they will take place all the time in society, conflict resolution is to be carved out so that social equilibrium can resume. Society is in a state of harmony and conflict alternating at intervals, but overtime there must swing back to normalcy. The homeostatic equilibrium is nature of things and human society is no exception. Conflict and harmony, war and peace, ups and downs of society, etc., hence the focus is to come up with conflict resolution mechanism. Indeed, human beings have been trying to come up with methods of conflict resolution by working together to come up with process and structure of conflict avoidance or resolution. The most dreadful are the two world wars. On the positive side, conflicts have led to progress manifested in international law, international organizations starting with the League of Nations and now the United Nations. There are other organizations to forestall conflicts or to nip in the bud what may escalate into crises such as the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, World Bank, World Health Organization, etc.
Specifically, when conflict takes place as a result of development and change leading to social disequilibrium, there are four ways to resolve conflict, including mediation, negotiation, arbitration, litigation.
Mediation requires a third party to help with resolving issue in conflict. The mediator has to be acceptable and agreed by the conflicting parties. Mediator must have political stature and is reliable for disinterestedness. The United Nations is an organization which focuses resolution of conflicts through mediation.
Negotiation is a process in which the two conflicting parties agree to bring the issue of conflict onto the negotiating table. Negotiation on a bona fide basis with willingness to take into account each party’s problems and demand with an attitude of compromise may lead to resolution. Negotiati