Culture and international conflict resolution; Critical analysis of the work of John Burton

There is here, not only a critique of conflict strategies, but an enquiry into John Burton's work, particularly his assumption of human needs, and a form of rationality. This work re-examines conflict resolution - and particularly problem-solving conflict resolution. It is a critical study of John Burton's work, and outlines an alternative framework for the study of international conflict. It provides an insight into the problems of conflict and conflict resolution from a social constructionist angle. Vayrynen argues that culture has a constitutive role in international conflict and conflict resolution. Culture offers a grammar for acting in and interpreting the world, and provides understandings of conflict and its resolution. Theories which deny the importance of culture fail to understand the ontological conditions of human "being". The work should be of interest to students of conflict and peace studies, both advanced undergraduate and postgraduate, as well as students of international relations studying conflict resolution.