Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

tooth” are common all over the world. They reflect our typical self-defence behaviourand also describe the escalation of a conflict situation.Pat Patfoort used this escalation mechanism to develop the model known as‘the dynamics of violence’. The following explanation and illustration might be helpfulto understand how violence occurs and escalates in a conflict situation:Attack One person (A) attacks another person (B). A uses aggression against B, atB’s expense. In so doing, A takes over the Major position and shouts down Bwho is put in the minor position. This leads to a feeling of inferiority in B,which s/he tries to overcome — the instinct of self‐preservation is triggered.Re-attack B uses energy in the form of aggression and re‐attacks A to overcomeher/his inferiority. Now A is put in the minor position and feels inferior. Bchanges her/his minor position into the Major and feels superior.The consequence of this attack and counter attack is that the situation becomesmore and more violent from one attack to the next. This dynamic appears like a spiral– an escalation of violence that happens in daily life and societal relationships.Illustration and explanation of the ‘dynamics of violence’ model Person A blames Person B “you did very badly….” B receives the blame from A and feels inferior (m –B 1 ).A feels superior (M) because of attacking B. B 1 wants to get out of this inferior position. The instinct of self‐preservationis awakened and energy is mobilized, which is aggression.B 1 (m) lifts her/himself up to the position of B 2 and feels superior (M). B 2 (M) attacks A (m) “and you did…”. B 2 uses aggression to re‐attack A,by transferring the aggression to A.164 V. V I O L E N C E