Konfliktis

Konfliktis is a theoretical term used in conflict studies to describe a recurring, structurally induced pattern of disagreement within organizations and societies. The core idea is that even when formal cooperation exists, persistent conflict remains because incentives, norms, and information asymmetries create enduring fault lines that are not resolved by occasional resolutions.

Etymology and scope: The word blends the common root konflikt with a Latin-sounding suffix -is, signaling an abstract concept. It emerged in contemporary scholarly discussions in the 21st century to capture a mode of conflict that is embedded in routines and institutional design rather than isolated incidents.

Characteristics: Konfliktis is typically latent rather than episodic, and it arises from misalignment between institutional rules and actor interests. It propagates through discourse, procedures, and decision-making cycles, and it is reinforced by coalition politics and feedback effects that resist simple resolution. It often manifests as policy gridlock, persistent disagreements over resource allocation, or recurring strategic miscalculations among states or organizations.

Approaches and methods: Researchers study konfliktis with process tracing, discourse analysis, formal modeling, and simulation to understand how incentives, information flow, and norms sustain the pattern. Interventions focus on aligning incentives, increasing transparency, and altering rules to break the cycle.

Criticism and discussion: Some scholars caution that labeling a broad range of persistent conflicts as konfliktis risks oversimplification or reification of complex processes. Others argue that the concept helps to identify structural dimensions of conflict that traditional episodic analyses overlook.

See also: conflict theory, negotiation, mediation, organizational sociology, international relations.