konfliktet

Konfliktet is the definite form of the noun konflikt in several Scandinavian languages, meaning “the conflict.” It is used to refer to a disagreement, fight, or armed confrontation between individuals, groups, organizations, or states.

Origin and usage: The root konflikt derives from Latin confligere via French conflit and later diffusion into European languages. In everyday language, konflikt can describe anything from personal disputes to large-scale wars. The definite form konfliktet is used when speaking of a particular conflict known to the listener or reader.

Scope and types: Conflicts can be interpersonal, such as a disagreement between colleagues; organizational, such as competition between departments; political, such as power struggles within a government; or international, such as armed confrontations between nations. Conflicts often have stages—tipping points, escalation, and attempts at de-escalation.

Resolution and consequences: Conflict analysis seeks causes, stakeholders, power dynamics, and available remedies. Methods include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and peacekeeping, with success depending on trust, third-party facilitation, and durable agreements. Unresolved conflicts can lead to violence, disruption, or long-term grievance.

See also: conflict theory, conflict resolution, diplomacy, peacebuilding, negotiation, mediation.