Saturday, March 12, 2011

The History and Current Conflict of Lybia



The current uprising in Libya is not the first large-scale rise of rebel movements in this country. There is a history in Libya of armed protest movements against governmental and societal discrepancies.  Libya

Since the 19th century up to and during the colonial period, Libya has had a very strong societal influence on the central and state levels.

The traditions of contesting the state have always been strong. When the Italians invaded Libya in 1911 they could not conquer the country, due to a very well organized volunteer army that resisted the central invasion in the north until 1931.

This is to say that Libya has had strong societal forces that are very concerned about keeping their communities and autonomy and not allowing the central government determine every aspect of their affairs.

Although the current strife over oil and territory have begun a struggle and crackdown on protesters by Moammar Gadhafi and his retaliation has been very violent, the protesters reacted differently than what would have been expected by the government. 

The protesters moved more quickly to armed resistance. The civilian casualties seem to have strengthened the opposition’s resolve; and Libyans who are generally opposed to foreign intervention, are seeking help to fight against the Libyan government in order to apply pressure on the government and bankrupt the regime of its power. Libya


All in all this appears to be a conflict that has a zero sum propensity; where one side wins at the loss/cost of the opposite party.  The conflict has already become tragically destructive  due to the senseless loss of lives; and the more one party tries to compete in order to defeat the other the more loss occurs. 

This is an intergoup/international conflict to where both sides need to come to an amicable resolution or call in third party aid as a measure to end the downward spiral effects of the war. 

Libya at this point it at a very destructive conflict stage with dangerous moves and counter moves, that have brought about such negative patterns of behavior. 

The relationship has always been strained between the government and its people and most likely will always be; as the government desires a "central" headship and the people desire a democracy.  The fact being that with intergroup/international differences being more competitive and less cooperative, a controlling style used by the government will never work to reach agreements needed to end the war.  Collaboration needs to occur, by negotiating and working out the differences, bringing about a compromise which allows both sides to 'split the difference'. and end the violence in order to live peaceably.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Tit for Tat

I chose this topic as I find this strategy very interesting seeing as how everyone on the planet at one time or another has engaged in the act(s) during inter/intra-personal, inter/intra-group/social, or global/international confrontation(s).

Tit for tat is all about equivalence in retaliation.  This method is used in Game Theory as well as Prisoner’s dilemma strategies.  When we are using this strategy we initially cooperate, then respond to an opponent's prior action. If our opponent was previously cooperative, the partner is cooperative. If not, the partner is not.

This operation is contingent on four strategies:


  1. Unless provoked by the opponent, the partner will cooperate
  2. If provoked by the opponent, the partner will then retaliate
  3. The partner is quick to forgive
  4. The partner has to have a good chance of  continued competition against the opponent.

Depending on the “payoff” the competition can continue long enough to repeat the cycle of punishment and forgiveness and ultimately generate a more stable“long-term payoff”; much higher than the possible loss from being initially cooperative.

http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.ohiolink.edu:9099/ehost/detail?hid=104&sid=fad946b5-d982-4e7d-8291-ad1dd81ec7f1%40sessionmgr104&vid=6&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=9501204977


Friday, January 14, 2011

~16 Weeks In The Ring With LOVE~

Hello my name is Tricia.  I am in my senior year at KSU majoring in psychology.  My plan is to continue on for my masters in family counseling and eventually obtain my Clinical PhD. 

I decided upon this course of study as a benefactor for my future endevors as a clinician, as well as my current engagements within the many social circles in which I serve; such as BBBS of Stark County, Youth minister for COL ministeries, and mentoring female youth within the community and urban settings.  I also believe the information studied and learned will be well applied to my current field of work, school and home life.

Aaaahhh...the Irony of it all...a photo that I have selected; I felt it only Fitting seeing as how my last name is 'LOVE' and I am a 'BOXER'..."all's fair in Love & War" soooooo Glove-up... 'Ding-Ding'... and lets talk Conflict Resolution!