Settlement Phase A settlement phase is characterized by the resolution of the opposition underlying the conflict which establishes or re-establishes mutually recognized institutional processes in which opposing claims are accomodated peacefully. We hypothesize that three elements are constitutive of conflicts, that is, a particular configuration of these elements defines a situation as a conflict. A conflictual opposition is one in which two or more parties are pitted against each other over one or more issues. The use of violence is an expression of conflictual behavior. Expectations refer to the possible developments of the conflict as seen from the participants' perspective.
Recognition refers to the legitimacy granted by the participants to the other's claims and status.
Recognition does not affect the definition of a situation as being conflictual, but it does affect the definition of what type of conflict characterizes a situation. Depending on the values attributed to these elements different forms and types of conflict can be distinguished. They are represented in Table 1. The nominal distinction of forms of conflicts can be translated into conflict phases in order to capture the temporal unfolding of conflicts. This translation is represented in Table 2.