What is Dispute?
A dispute/disagreement is a continuing [[wikt:disagreement|disagreement]] carried on between two or more '''parties'''. The parties may be people, or they may be [[organisation]]s or [[country|countries]]. Disputes can last a long time, and they can have serious results. Dispute may happen from [[controversy]]. Disputes may become [[conflict]]s or [[polemic]]. Disputes between individual people may lead to [[violence]]. Disputes between organisations may lead to [[law|legal action]]. Disputes between [[countries]] may lead to [[war]]. == How disputes become serious == Several factors make disputes more serious. Serious disputes may do a lot of damage to the people involved, and to their [[society|societies]]. === Length of time === Disputes may last for long periods, and the longer they last, the more damage they may do. Where disputes involve [[religion]]s, or [[hostile]] countries, they may last for more than a lifetime. Generations of children may be taught that their side is completely right, and the other wrong. === Fundamental values === Disputes arise when there are conflicting [[need]]s, [[value]]s or [[idea]]s. Differences of religion and culture are a common cause of disputes. Self-interest is a common cause of disputes between individuals. === Media spread disputes === A second factor is the use of [[book]]s, [[newspaper]]s, [[radio]] and [[television]] by each side to promote their side of the [[argument]]. This [[propaganda]] helps to continue and spread the dispute. === Laws === Laws may prevent freedom of [[speech]], and prevent [[discussion]] in [[print]] or other [[media]]. This makes it difficult for either side to see merit in the other point of view. In turn, this makes it difficult for [[compromise]] or [[tolerance]] to dissolve the dispute. == How disputes are resolved == === Negotiation === The study of disputes and conflicts reached its peak during the [[Cold War]]. Then the West versus East conflict seemed to threaten world [[peace]], and many ideas were put forward to use [[negotia