The Neutrality Trap From Constructive Engagement to Strategic Disruption in Social Conflict

Our road to a better future must take us deeper into conflict. As we grapple with the profoundly disruptive events of the past year and in particular with the sense that something is seriously wrong with our capacity to deal with the most intense problems we face as a society and a world, we are challenged to rethink our whole approach to conflict. Deep and disturbing conflict is not only inevitable, not only an opportunity for change, but vital to our capacity to flourish as an inclusive and equitable society.

This book will address how those interested in social justice can approach the necessary conflicts that we must engage in and sustain to bring about significant change. The authors will address this challenge from the perspective of practitioners and students of conflict but also as lifelong participants in social change efforts. The book will offer clear principles for how to understand the conflicts we face, how to challenge the status quo in an effective way, how to practice "getting into good trouble" as the late John Lewis put it, and how to take a strategic and sustainable approach to doing so. The authors will discuss not only systems disruption, but what comes next--how to develop the relationships and reconciliation processes that can help systems and societies heal over time.