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Coexistence is a state in which two or more groups are living together while respecting their differences and resolving their conflicts nonviolently. Although the idea of coexistence is not new, the term came into common usage during the Cold War. The policy of 'peaceful coexistence' was used in the context of U.S. and U.S.S.R. relations. Initially, it was a cover for aggression, but then it developed as a tool for reframing the relationship between the two powers. In the late '80s, the policy of peaceful coexistence included principles such as "nonaggression, respect for sovereignty, national independence, and noninterference in internal affairs."[1]
Coexistence has been defined in numerous ways:
- To exist together (in time or place) and to exist in mutual tolerance.[2]
- To learn to recognize and live with difference.[3]
- To have a relationship between persons or groups in which none of the parties is trying to destroy the other.[4]
- To interact with a commitment to tolerance, mutual respect, and the agreement to settle conflicts without recourse to violence.[5]
At the core of coexistence is the awareness that individuals and groups differ in numerous ways including class, ethnicity, religion, gender, and political inclination. These group identities may be the causes of conflicts, contribute to the causes of conflicts, or may be solidified as conflicts develop and escalate. A policy of coexistence, however, diminishes the likelihood that identity group differences will escalate into a damaging or intractable conflict.
Coexistence and Conflict
Additional insights into coexistence are offered by Beyond Intractability project participants.
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Conflict is ubiquitous and occurs at the individual, community, institutional, and national levels. Many conflicts are localized and expressed nonviolently. In fact, conflict can be constructive and in many instances it is fundamental to social change.[6] However, conflict that is widespread and expressed violently appears to have increased over recent decades, impelling the global community to examine the root causes of conflicts and analyze conflict theory and management in greater detail. While times of coexistence do not exclude conflict, they do exclude widespread violence.
The Coexistence Continuum
Coexistence exists before and after violent conflict. However, it is not static. Like all social environments, it fluctuates, depending on the level of social interaction. Coexistence exists in situations where individuals and communities actively accept and embrace diversity (active coexistence) and where individuals and communities merely tolerate other groups (passive coexistence). Communities that are not experiencing violent conflict can be located anywhere within this range.
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Passive coexistence. This type of coexistence occurs where relationships are characterized by unequal power relationships, little inter-group contact, and little equity. In short, the principles of social justice are not apparent here. While this type of environment may lack violence, the continuation of unequal relationships is unlikely to lead to the resolution of conflict.[7] Institutions in this environment are not designed to support equality; consequently unjust and oppressive structures can be maintained. These structures often impede community growth, peace processes, and the development of democracy. Yet since inter-group conflict is not widespread, the groups can still be said to coexist without violence.
Active coexistence. In this type of coexistence, relationships are characterized by a recognition and respect for diversity and an active embrace of difference, equal access to resources and opportunities, and equity in all aspects of life. This type of coexistence fosters peace and social cohesion based on justice, equality, inclusion, and equity. In addition, institutions in this environment are designed to ensure fairness.
The Value of Coexistence
Coexistence work moves "societies away from violent interaction and helps maintain a non-violent system of dealing with conflict within societies. It recognizes and addresses the root causes of conflicts to enable individuals and societies to develop strategies for existing without destroying the enemy."[11]
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Finding peace in the whirlwind of war is a difficult and sometimes impossible task: "... the continuation of killings that accompany wars tends to perpetuate hatreds and stimulate vengefulness, thus fueling the continuation of the conflict. Such emotions not only hinder efforts to settle the conflict, but produce conditions that make the renewal of war more possible."[8]
A state of coexistence provides psychological and physical conditions for individuals, organizations, and/or communities to reduce tensions, and for peacemakers to attempt to resolve the causes of the conflict. This period of nonviolence is especially useful post-war, as it provides an environment in which the causes of conflict can be addressed and peace can be envisioned, negotiated, and achieved. "The onset of a coexistence era allows common interests (such as economic ones) to emerge among the antagonists, giving both parties a strong stake in making the temporary stage a permanent one. It is this ongoing dynamic that ... makes the concept of coexistence a particularly useful one in the resolution of intractable ethnic conflicts."[9]
Coexistence in Many Contexts
While much of the scholarly writing on coexistence has focused mainly on international conflicts, its basic tenets -- recognizing diversity, the worth of the 'Other,' and nonviolence -- are applicable in other contexts. In fact, mediation at all levels (for example, interpersonal, organizational, and community) fosters coexistence as mediators encourage resolution and promote "the parties' mutual recognition of each other as fellow human beings despite their conflict."[10]
Getting to Coexistence
Coexistence work is that which brings individuals, communities, and/or nations away from violence and towards social cohesion (see table below). This includes efforts that aim to address past wrongs, search for justice and forgiveness, build/rebuild communities, and explore ways for community structures and systems to embody fairness, justice, and equity.
These tools of coexistence are all geared towards preventing, reducing, and eliminating violence in an effort to take societies towards increased integration. In addition to functioning as a framing mechanism, coexistence therefore becomes a term with which different types of peace work can be discussed. This usage implicitly promotes a multi-pronged approach to conflict prevention and resolution, one that looks not at a single field for a solution, but that acknowledges the need for cross-sectoral (such as conflict resolution, economic development, and public health) and multi-level (from grassroots to policy) efforts. This broad and inclusive approach is fundamental in the transition from war to passive coexistence and then to active coexistence, to the development of peace practice, and to the creation of sustainable peace.
As we move further into the 21st century with an increasingly complex international political system and a multifaceted field of stakeholders, our language and concepts must adapt to the realities of conflict, violence, and combat. Efforts to mainstream the notion of coexistence in both the peacebuilding and conflict-resolution fields and in everyday interaction are a priority.
The opportunity that increased coexistence presents -- a reduction in violence, an active embracing of diversity, and collaboration within and across fields -- is of increasing value and significance worldwide. The promise of coexistence is that it provides a needed pause from violence, and a springboard into stronger, more respectful inter-group relationships.
[1] Eugene Weiner, "Coexistence Work: A New Profession." In The Handbook of Interethnic Coexistence, ed. Eugene Weiner (New York: The Abraham Fund, 2000): 13-24.
[2] The Oxford Dictionary, 1997 ed., Frank R. Abate.
[3] Kumar Rupesinghe, "Coexistence and Transformation in Asia: Some Reflections." In Culture and Identity: Ethnic Coexistence in the Asian Context, ed. Kumar Rupsinghe (Washington, D.C.: The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, 1999): 3-37.
[4] Louis Kriesberg, "Coexistence and the Reconciliation of Communal Conflicts." In The Handbook of Interethnic Coexistence, ed. Eugene Weiner (New York: The Abraham Fund, 2000): 182-198.
[5] The Coexistence Initiative. Organizational brochure.
[6] Morton Deutsch, The Resolution of Conflict (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1973); Lewis Coser, The Functions of Social Conflict (Glenco: Free Press, 1956); Jay Rothman, "Resolving Identity-Based Conflict." In Nations, Organizations, and Communities (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1997).
[7] Touval, op. cit.
[8] Saadia Touval, "Ethical Dilemmas in International Mediation," Negotiation Journal 11:333-38.
[9] Weiner, op. cit.
[10] Robert Baruch-Bush, The Dilemmas of Mediation Practice: A Study of Ethical Dilemmas and Policy Implications. A Report on a Study for The National Institute For Dispute Resolution. NIDR, 1992.
[11] Weiner, op. cit.
Use the following to cite this article:
Khaminwa, Angela Nyawira. "Coexistence." Beyond Intractability. Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Posted: July 2003 <http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/coexistence/>.
Sources of Additional, In-depth Information on this Topic
Additional Explanations of the Underlying Concepts:
Online (Web) Sources
Cohen, Cynthia. Engaging with the Arts to Promote Coexistence. The Alan B. Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence at Brandeis University.
Available at: http://www.brandeis.edu/ethics/publications/Engaging_Arts.pdf.
This chapter from "Imagine Coexistence" explains how practitioners of coexistence and reconciliation can use various artistic forms as tools for encouraging coexistance in divided societies.
The Coexistence Initiative.
Available at: Click here for more info.
The Coexistence Initiative seeks to provide information on the topic of coexistence and to facilitate communication between those engaged in coexistence-related work. The organization's website provides a variety of resources, as well as news about projects on which the Initiative and its partners are currently working.
Cohen, Cynthia. Working with Integrity: A Guidebook for Peacebuilders Asking Ethical Questions. The Alan B. Slifka Program in Intercommunal Coexistence at Brandeis University.
Available at: Click here for more info.
This resource is intended as a guide for people who promote coexistence and further reconciliation in historically divided communities. It discusses the meaning of integrity and addresses some of the ethical questions and dilemmas that frequently arise in peacebuilding work.
Offline (Print) Sources
Kriesberg, Louis. "Coexistence and the Reconciliation of Communal Conflicts." In The Handbook of Interethnic Coexistence. Edited by Weiner, Eugene, ed. New York, NY: Continuum Publishing, 2000.
This chapter discusses the meanings of the terms coexistence and reconciliation and examines the obstacles to achieving these societal states in the wake of violent protracted conflicts. The article goes on to consider ways to foster equitable coexistence and reconciliation, looking at forms of reconciliation work and strategies for carrying out such work. Click here for more info.
Rupesinghe, Kumar. "Coexistence and Transformation in Asia: Some Reflections." In Culture and Identity: Ethnic Coexistence in the Asian Context. Edited by Rupesinghe, Kumar, ed. Washington, D.C.: The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, January 1, 1999.
Weiner, Eugene. "Coexistence Work: A New Profession." In The Handbook of Interethnic Coexistence. Edited by Weiner, Eugene, ed. New York, NY: Abraham Fund, The, 2000.
This article discusses the fundamentals of coexistence and coexistence work.
Abu-Nimer, Mohammed, ed. Reconciliation, Coexistence, and Justice in Interethnic Conflicts: Theory and Practice. New York: Lexington Books, May 16, 2001.
This edited volume contains essays written by both scholars and practitioners that examine reconciliation, justice, and coexistence in the post-settlement phase of a conflict.
Rothman, Jay. Resolving Identity-Based Conflict in Nations, Organizations, and Communities. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, June 1997.
This book discusses identity-based conflict in terms of theory and practice, with Rothman outlining a four-phase model of conflict; antagonism, resonance, invention, and action. The work offers possible avenues for fostering coexistence a wide array of conflict situations. Click here for more info.
Weiner, Eugene, ed. The Handbook of Interethnic Coexistence. New York: The Continuum Publishing Company, 1998.
This book contains a number of essays on the topic of coexistence written by different writers from a variety of fields and perspectives. It is useful as a fundamental primer on coexistence.
Volkan, Vamik D. "The Tree Model: Psychopolitical Dialogues and the Promotion of Coexistence ." In The Handbook of Interethnic Coexistence. Edited by Weiner, Eugene, ed. New York: Continuum Publishing, 1998.
The author's Tree Model describes how improved interethnic relations achieved in facilitated dialogue may be maintained and applied to real world projects. The author goes on to describe how each part of the tree represents phases of the dialogue process. Click here for more info.
Volpe, Maria. "Using Town Meetings to Foster Peaceful Coexistence ." In The Handbook of Interethnic Coexistence. Edited by Weiner, Eugene, ed. New York: Continuum Publishing, 1998.
The author examines how regular town meetings can contribute to peaceful coexistence by creating and maintaining a culture of civil dialogue. This examination is based on her many years of experience with the regular town meetings held by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Click here for more info.
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Examples Illustrating this Topic:
Online (Web) Sources
Little, David and Scott W. Hibbard. Sino-Tibetan Co-Existence: Creating Space for Tibetan Self-Direction. United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
Available at: http://www.usip.org/religionpeace/rehr/tibet.html.
This USIP report examines the state of relations between Tibetans and the Chinese government, attempting to identify the fundamental sources of conflict and to determine realistic steps toward amelioration. Special attention was devoted to intolerance and discrimination in cultural and religious matters as contributing factors to tensions between Tibetans and Han Chinese.
Offline (Print) Sources
Malan, Jannie. "From Exclusive Aversion to Inclusive Coexistence." Conference on Coexistence Community Consultations, Durban, South Africa , January 1, 2003.
This paper looks at differing levels of tolerance and coexistence in South Africa.
Imagine Coexistence: Peace and Reconciliation Between Opposing Groups After Violent Mass Conflict. Jossey-Bass Publishers, April 2003.
The essays in this edited volume address the topic of peaceful coexistence after violent conflict, offering both theoretical analysis and real world examples. The book is divided into four sections: Concepts, Practice, Obstacles, and Approaches.
Torstrick, Rebecca L. "The Limits of Coexistence: Identity Politics in Israel." , July 2000.
This book presents a detailed case study of Isreali-Palestinian relations in the Israeli town of Acre. The author studies a wide variety of social elements, and concludes with an in-depth analysis of the various conditions that either hinder or contribute to peaceful coexistence.
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Audiovisual Materials on this Topic:
Online (Web) Sources
Etgar, Raphie. The Museum on the Seam.
Available at: http://www.coexistence.art.museum/eng/index.asp.
The Museum on the Seam presents an attempt, for the first time in Israel, to deal with themes of dialogue, understanding and coexistence in a museum setting. The displays examine diverse ways for bridging the gaps between adversaries. Visitors are confronted with the issues at stake and are challenged to re-think, by innovative visual means and learning activities.
The website opens the museum up to the virtual tourist and allows one to experience the different galleries online.
Offline (Print) Sources
Peace of Mind. Directed and/or Produced by: Landsman, Mark. Global Action Project, Inc.. 1999.
This film documents the life of seven Palestinian and Israeli teenagers who in their desire to understand each other are willing to meet. Eventually these teenagers dare to trust one another and gain hope that one day Palestinians and Israelis will coexist in peace. Click here for more info.
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Teaching Materials on this Topic:
Online (Web) Sources
Out on a Limb: A Guide to Getting Along.
Available at: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/conflict/.
This is an interactive conflict management website for youth grades 3-4. Conflict resolution processes are being used by parents, schools, juvenile justice facilities and youth-serving organizations to help teach youth to deal with life's daily challenges without walking away or fighting. This website is designed to help teach youth how to better manage the conflicts and challenges they face on a daily basis. The activities on the Out on a Limb website are designed primarily for third graders, but can be used to entertain and educate youth from the second and fourth grades as well.
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