We have learned so far that a Conflict is actual or perceived opposition of needs, values and interests. A conflict can be internal (within oneself) to individuals. In political terms, "conflict" can refer to wars, revolutions or other struggles, which may involve the use of force as in the term armed conflict. Several academical disciplines deal with conflicts, most obvious are conflict or peace science, but also political science in a more general setting and economical disciplines since conflict is often based on unequal proposition of goods. Now let's carry on:
Are there particular patterns of conflicts which could help to understand these situations better? Scientists have researched conflicts for centuries and even longer. History is in essence the first approach to analyze conflicts, and historians have always been there - from ancient times.
The river Rhine at the borderline between Germany and France was always an object of pride for both sides. Setting their border to the shores of river Rhine was the aim of the French foreign policy until the founding of the European Union kind of "solved" this dispute after the second world war. The importance however of the river Rhine for the German cultural heritage can easily bee understood if one studies the German classical literature, beginning with the "Nibelungen". River Rhine is male in the German language - also an interesting point. Learn more about the river Rhine in Germany river Rhine in Germany
The history of Bulgaria is full of war and struggle for power. Having been a local superpower in medieval ages, it became occupied by the Otoman empire for four centuries. The conflict between the Christian-orthodox Bulgarians and the Muslim Turks was never really solved with many uprisings taking place. The decline of the Otoman empire in the 19.th century allowed the final Bulgarian uprise with strong support from Russia - and helped Bulgaria to gain its independence again. Like in many other Balkan countries, the architecture is a mosaic of different cultural influences. One of the best ways to study this "microcosmos" is a visit to the Bulgarian capital Sofia. The city has a Roman, an old Bulgarian, an Otoman and a communist heritage - not to forget the last 20 years with its strong economic developement resulting in modern business complexes and malls. Here some information about Sofia Here some information about Sofia