Hope(lessness) and Collective (In)action in Intractable Intergroup Conflict

Abstract

One of intractable conflict’s unique characteristics is the perception of irresolvability, which is closely associated with the development of hopelessness. Bar-Tal’s influential work has pointed to the lack of hope as becoming an inherent part of the conflict’s psychological infrastructure, which ultimately perpetuates intractable conflict by inducing indifference and inaction. Hope, on the other hand, has been suggested as an important emotion within conflict resolution processes. One behavioral manifestation of hope may be action to achieve social change, or in this context, to achieve peace. However, while both parties’ best interest may seem to lie in peace, collective action towards achieving it is not common in such situations because the conflict’s nature itself removes all hope and scope for such social change. In this chapter, we examine what makes collective action within the context of intractable conflicts unique, comparing and distinguishing it from more traditional forms of collective action. We utilize existing work to offer some hope that collective action within intractable conflicts may be achieved.