Theory of Common Conflicts: An Introduction

Description

Introduction
There is a convergence of sustainable development issues across the world. In this pretext of a society that values common outcomes, what kind of conflicts may arise, and how acknowledgment of such conflicts can shape our understanding of a new social order that is more “just” in nature, is the subject of our study. In this paper, we argue that if common values such as those reflected via UN SDGs are universally embraced at all scales of units (i.e. individuals, organizations, governments), along with a negative connotation, then utilizing collective intelligence systems theory, governing systems for sustainable transformations can be designed. Such reflexive systems can provide the required balance between “conflicts” that arise from the notion of freedom -to do and to be- and “order” of providing justice for all, while ensuring that negatively connotated outcomes of unsustainability (as derived from SDGs) continually reduce. The theoretical basis for such systems under the title “Theory of Common Conflicts” is proposed.
Methods
Study is conceptualized by performing a thought experiment utilizing Ajzen’s “Theory of Planned Behavior” to identify a list of common conflict types for sustainability issues that are modeled using simulation and scenario development method.
Results
The resulting model and the conflict types provide a normative basis, under which constructive conflict resolution approaches can be developed that can lead to cooperation and trust between societal members towards SD issues of common interest.
Conclusions
Calls for further research inquiries in the design of collective intelligence systems to support consistent sustainable outcomes achievement while settling of conflicts through constructive resolution are made. Also, policy implications of adopting the connotation of negative outcomes for SDGs, spatial scales as a basis to understand negative outcomes, and unification of all types of impact generating units (i.e. organizations, individuals, families) under one type of unit are proposed.

Period	23 Aug 2022
Event type	Conference
Location	Stockholm, SwedenShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International