Conflict as Progression Lederach adopts mediator Adam Curle's matrix for describing the progress of conflicts in terms of the balance of power between the parties, and the degree to which the parties are aware of their conflicting needs and interests. Conflicts progress from situations of unbalanced power and low awareness, or latent conflict to situations of unbalanced power and increasing awareness, or overt conflict.
Negotiations attempt to bring overt conflicts to a situation of balanced power and high awareness.
When this situation is stable, Curle calls it peace. Conflicts do not always follow this progression in a linear fashion. Conflicts may regress, or may occasionally skip stages. The appropriate response to latent conflict is education to increase awareness of power imbalances and unequal relationships. Overt conflicts call for confrontation.