Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to identify important issues within this topic, recognise contrasting perspectives, suggest causes and consequences, consider possible courses of action and develop suitable questions for Global Perspectives research.

How To Use This Topic Guide

This is not a chapter to memorise. Use it to explore possible issues, practise Cambridge skills and decide whether this topic is suitable for an Individual Report or Team Project.

What This Topic Includes

Conflict and peace includes disagreements within communities, political violence, war, discrimination, competition over resources and efforts to prevent or resolve conflict. It also examines justice, reconciliation, security and the conditions needed for lasting peace.

Possible Global Issues
  • Causes of violent conflict and civil unrest.
  • The protection of civilians during conflict.
  • Whether military intervention can be justified.
  • The treatment and resettlement of refugees.
  • The role of misinformation and hate speech.
  • Peace negotiations and the inclusion of affected communities.
  • Justice, punishment and reconciliation after conflict.
  • Competition over land, identity, power or natural resources.
Stakeholders And Perspectives
  • Governments may prioritise sovereignty, security and political stability.
  • Opposition groups may claim exclusion, injustice or lack of representation.
  • Civilians may prioritise safety, services, rights and return to normal life.
  • Military organisations may emphasise security threats and strategic goals.
  • Humanitarian organisations may focus on civilian protection and access to aid.
  • Refugees and displaced people may seek safety, rights and eventual return or integration.
  • International organisations may promote negotiation but face limits in enforcement.
  • Victims may disagree about whether peace requires punishment, truth, compensation or forgiveness.
Possible Causes
  • Political exclusion and weak institutions.
  • Historical grievances and unresolved injustice.
  • Competition over land, resources or economic opportunity.
  • Ethnic, religious or national identity divisions.
  • Foreign involvement and the supply of weapons.
  • Extreme inequality and unemployment.
  • Propaganda, misinformation and dehumanising language.
  • Breakdown of trust, law and peaceful political processes.
Possible Consequences
  • Death, injury, trauma and displacement.
  • Damage to schools, hospitals, homes and infrastructure.
  • Loss of education, employment and economic development.
  • Long-term mistrust between communities.
  • Human-rights abuses and weakened institutions.
  • Regional instability and refugee pressures.
  • Growth of criminal networks or armed groups.
  • Opportunities for reform, reconciliation and stronger peace institutions after settlement.
Possible Courses Of Action
  • Early mediation and inclusive political dialogue.
  • Protection of minority rights and fair access to institutions.
  • Independent monitoring, ceasefires and peacekeeping where appropriate.
  • Control of weapons flows and financing of armed groups.
  • Peace education and programmes that reduce prejudice.
  • Truth, justice, compensation and reconciliation processes.
  • Support for displaced people and reconstruction of essential services.
  • Local peace committees involving women, young people and community leaders.
Possible Individual Report Questions
  • Is lasting peace possible without justice for past crimes?
  • Should international organisations intervene in conflicts within sovereign states?
  • How important is social media in increasing or reducing conflict?
  • Are peace agreements more effective when local communities help design them?
  • Should refugees be expected to return after a conflict ends?
Possible Team Project Ideas
  • Investigate a source of tension within the school or community and design a mediation activity.
  • Create a campaign that challenges stereotypes or hate speech.
  • Survey young people’s understanding of peaceful conflict resolution.
  • Develop a peer-mediation or dialogue programme.
  • Study whether community spaces are equally accessible to different groups.
Useful Types Of Evidence
  • Peace agreements, laws and official statements.
  • Testimony from civilians, refugees and former combatants.
  • Conflict maps and displacement data.
  • Reports from humanitarian and human-rights organisations.
  • Media coverage from contrasting perspectives.
  • Research on peacebuilding, reconciliation and early-warning systems.
Skill Practice

Take one proposed response to conflict, such as negotiation, sanctions or military action. Identify one argument supporting it and one opposing it. Evaluate the evidence each side would need before a responsible decision could be made.

Lesson Summary
  • Conflict usually has multiple causes rather than one simple explanation.
  • Peace involves more than ending violence; it may require justice, trust and functioning institutions.
  • Sources about conflict can be highly selective, emotional or politically motivated.
  • Researchers should include affected civilian perspectives, not only powerful decision-makers.
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