Egalitarianism and Conflict Resolution among Swatis of District Batagram, N.W.F.P, Pakistan

Abstract

This thesis is an attempt to understand the role of egalitarianism in the process and procedure of conflict resolution. Egalitarianism reflects social equality exist between the members of the tribe. In case of conflict, the offended party appl ies coercive self-help to maintain the notion of social equality. Beside the use of physical force the neutral third patty also applies peaceful cultural means to resolve the conflict. However, egalitarianism or social equality is the prime cultural attlibute. Hence, all cultural strategies including orderly and disorderly means of conflict resolution are designed and exercised in a way so as to restore the social position of offended party. This restoration of social position of offended party is actually the restoration of equilibrium exist between the segments of the tribe. Although, I fOlind the notion of equilibrium model helpful because conflict ultimately results into bringing about peace in the society. However, my argument is not delimited only to the fu nction of conflict because conflict or feud is one strategy used by the offended party to restores the image of social position. The original focus of this study is to analyze the role of egalitarianism in conflict resolution, hence, all strategies for conflict resolution including the role of coercive self-help, mediation and arbitration are taken into account to look into their application for restoring the notion of social equality. The major emphasis is that all means of conflict resolution are designed and exercised in social reconstruction process to satisfy both parties i.e. offended and offender.