Conflictology : Systems, Institutions, and Mechanisms in Africa

This book argues that the changing nature of conflict, taking the form of radicalization and extremism, is deeply rooted in an individual's ideology, personality, biology, and psychology. Onditi deploys an interdisciplinary approach to understanding conflict through human behavior.

Over the past three decades scholars, students and policy makers studying and engaged in conflict resolution have veered between conflict management and resolution. However, the changing nature of conflict, which is taking the form of radicalization and extremism are deeply rooted in individual''s ideology, personalities and genes, hence, rendering the conventional macro-level power balance analytics obsolete. The psychology and human genetics are at the center of this evolution. This shift in conflict trends and methods of warfare in Africa and the world over demands that we search for alternative approaches, mechanisms, and innovative response. It is against this background that this new book initiates a fundamental debate on how interdisciplinary adventure could increase the understanding of man-kind and the socio-biological systems surrounding man, hence, the emphasis on the discipline of Conflictology to embody scientific approaches, methods and prescription to conflict resolution. For instance, does individual''s gene influence human behaviours, such as "hate"? If so, can this be corrected through gene transposition? If human relations should be anchored on "peace", what are these genetic and behavioural factors that creat "hate" and "violence"? How then, should such a gene or neurobiological system be altered in order to prevent extremism and radicalization?