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may wish for or fight for the total disappearance ofthe other group, which may literally
mean "to push opponents into the sea"
(http://w\vw.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/problemlintosea.htm p.l) by eliminating them
by force. This is called a "zero-sum" or "win-lose" approach. This always results in
disaster because no conflicting group would willingly want to go anywhere. This kind
of situation occurred between the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom
Party in the years prior to the1994 elections where there were no-go areas for each of
the two parties. Many lives were lost. In Rwanda this resulted in genocide. It is
therefore important that opponents are discouraged from framing a conflict in this way,
but rather to find strategies for co-existence.
Fairness-Based Framing
In fairness-based framing conflict is defined in terms of 'Justice, fairness, and
rights." (http://www.colorado.edulconflict/peace/treatment/fairfram.htm)
Fairness and justice are defined according to some standard principles, which
are found in different societies and cultures. These may be "a constitution, a set oflaws,
or a less formal set of norms and traditions that govern how people are supposed to
behave and how they are to be treated." (p.!) If a group feels it has been unfairly
treated, it should compare the standards used with its own societal standards. The
difference will help both parties to find a remedy. Ifit is felt that the standards were
authoritarian or abusive, international standards ofhuman rights can be used to achieve
fairness and justice.
Incompatible Frames
A situation can be framed in various ways depending on who the people are,
their personal situation, and what their hopes and fears for the future are i.e. whether
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