The Dynamic Psychological Field Vol. The Conflict Helix Vol. Conflict In Perspective Vol. By R.J. Rummel Policies and distances are clearly interrelated. In the previous discussion and Volumes, I have tried to make clear that distance vectors between actors empirically reflect their relative, latent attitudes and capabilities, and that attitudes are transformed into interests through the stimulation of associated needs.
Attitudes are therefore inactive interests.
And by themselves, distances only define potentiality. All this will be discussed further in Section 10.2 regarding the structure of conflict. Therefore, the distances linked to an actor's behavior in a situation will reflect his living interests and relevant capabilities. It is the situational weights that measure the transformation of attitudes into interests and the relative weight these interests will have. But between the activation of an actor's interests and the utilization of his relevant capabilities is the his will.