conflictelor

Conflictelor is a theoretical concept in conflict studies used to describe a self-reinforcing pattern in which perceptions, narratives, and actions feed back into each other to shape the course of a dispute. The term, coined in interdisciplinary scholarly literature, signals attention to how information environments and institutions influence conflict dynamics across scales—from individuals and groups to organizations and states.

Definition and scope: Conflictelor encompasses the cyclical interplay between how stakeholders interpret events, how they communicate and mobilize, and how authorities respond. It highlights feedback loops such as misperception leading to increased distrust, which in turn prompts harder-line rhetoric, prompting counteractions that validate the original interpretation.

Mechanisms: Escalation is driven by cognitive biases, social amplification on media, strategic signaling, and institutional checks or sanctions that can either dampen or intensify tensions. Interventions aimed at breaking the loop include transparent communication, independent mediation, and procedural remedies that reduce uncertainty.

Applications: The framework is used to analyze political polarization online, civil unrest, and organizational disputes, as well as peacebuilding and post-conflict transitions where narratives and trust are central.

Assessment: Critics argue that conflating diverse phenomena under one term risks vagueness; advocates contend that it draws attention to common feedback structures across contexts and supports cross-domain strategies.

See also: conflict resolution, escalation theory, information cascades, narrative framing, polarization, peacebuilding.