Conflict
Name
Institution
Conflict
Reflexive Questions
- What am I curious about, and why?
The question has been chosen to create an evaluative approach towards understanding the fundamental aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before listening to the podcast. It creates a great avenue to effectively set an expectation of possible concepts and dimensions of information discussed in the interview.
- What information did I learn from this podcast?
The question has been chosen to effectively evaluate the information, concepts, and various dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that have been derived from critically analyzing the discussed aspects and points.
- What do I think was the most important idea from the podcast?
The question was selected to facilitate the acknowledgment of critical points and ideas and their implications from various points of view in the context of the conflict. Such as the ideas of recognition and negation for the different collective parties.
Response
What am I curious about, and why?
My curiosity when evaluating the discussion was increasingly on the aspect of the nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The idea that the conflict is an identity-based conflict is interesting. I was curious to discover the gradual evolution of the conflict from a resource-based conflict and understand the critical elements that influence this occurrence and state of affairs. The conflict has been a long-running one, and the unique approach that is presented here depicts the growth and morphing from, in this context, a land-based conflict to a multifaceted and relatively complex situation and relationship.
The curiosity is driven by a critical need to understand the issue that presents the uniqueness of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The podcast highlights some critical factors such as time and diversity that play an influential role in this situation. For example, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be traced back to the mid-20th Century. Numerous developments have taken place with extensive intervention measures having been instituted with minimal to partial success. The need to understand the dynamics at play was critical to further the understanding of conflicts, resolution, and other impactful elements and concepts.
What information did I learn from this podcast?
The podcast had some broadly applicable and viable arguments and concepts that were presented. For instance, the nature of the conflict was identified to be multi-dimensional. The perception that the conflict can be evaluated and analyzed from different angles to understand different occurrences, relationships, and critical developments was an important approach. Some useful concepts that were identified include the argument for existential needs. These include the need for distributive justice, well-being, and the ultimate need for meaning, among others – the needs that make individuals, communities, or societies who or what they are. They facilitate their being and instinctual self-esteem (Lacey, 2011).
The need for identity stands out as a critical element. Bearing individual distinction is a critical element that dictates various aspects such as relationships and conformity. It is important to understand the basis of identity-based conflict. When the existential needs or identity-based needs of one group are threatened by another group’s identity-based needs that are conflicting, and identity-based conflict occurs. These conflicts are different from the often common and conventional conflicts, such as those based on territory, resources, power, and other national interests.
The concept of the minority voice is critical. It is the primary source of the development of the need for recognition – a critical cause of conflict. The psychological aspect and nature of the conflict reflect critical factors that are critical in developing innovative and creative approaches to finding and developing long-lasting and effective solutions. The concept is critical in the identification and classification of conflicts as identity-based. For instance, a conflict can be identified and classified as identity-based if it is driven by collective psychological needs as opposed to material needs and interests.
What do I think was the most important idea from the podcast?
The podcast presented various points, concepts, and arguments that were all insightful. One of the ideas that stood out as the most important was the understanding presented that effective communication and dialogue is a critical tool for effective redress (Ron & Maoz, 2013). The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a protracted social conflict. The idea is put forward that to effectively address these conflicts; the underlying massive ‘iceberg’ must be addressed – this addresses the fact of the superficial ‘conflict’ that cannot be solved without solving the underlying and hidden issues, in this case, identity conflicts.
The idea is critical as it opens up a broadened and open-minded approach to seeking a stable and long-term solution for the issue. In the podcast, the idea of ‘insanity’ comes up in the context of solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – expecting different results from the same action over and over again. It facilitates the argument human-needs approach. It is critical to understand the human-needs of both parties – it is critical to understand where they clash, and where they converge. The concept of communication is what facilitates the ‘telling of stories’ where the parties present their cases and agendas as they seek ground for merging and meshing interests instead of diverging and creating further conflict. The concept of the double minority complex is a primary facilitator of further conflict – yet in spite of this internal negation, the external recognition and negation; from the outside world, furthers this conflict.
References
Lacey, D. (2011). The Role of Humiliation in the Palestinian / Israeli Conflict in Gaza. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/898d/3f4b38547f522d39d9a42d734bc0e9de26b2.pdf?_ga=2.140839605.644992916.1588435798-1048679369.1583828213
Ron, Y., & Maoz, I. (2013). Dangerous stories: Encountering narratives of the other in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Peace And Conflict: Journal Of Peace Psychology, 19(3), 281-294. doi: 10.1037/a0033686