Briefly discuss Broome’s Model of Building a Culture of Peace Through Dialogue.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Dialogue makes possible sustained contact. Broome maintains that conflict is often ongoing because conflicting parties are segregated or have little contact with each other. To engage in dialogue, conflicting parties must come together and interact. Such contact, Broome asserts, can help the conflicting parties reduce uncertainty and become aware of each other’s perspectives, which helps reduce hostility. Via dialogue, at least understanding the other’s point of view becomes possible, which can then lead to a reduction of hostility. As conflicting parties engage in interaction and begin to reduce hostility, they can begin to develop respect for each other. Broome maintains that as members of each group begin to listen to each other and to understand each other’s viewpoints, they will develop a degree of regard and respect for each other. Once again, Broome acknowledges that this does not necessitate agreement but at least can initiate the process of peaceful discussion rather than hostile confrontation. As peaceful discussion continues, interactants are more likely to engage in cooperative rather than competitive and hostile action. This, then, can lead to a culture of peace.