In the News: Louis Kriesberg

Louis Kriesberg, Maxwell Professor Emeritus of Social Conflict Studies, has written a new book, “Fighting Better: Constructive Conflicts in America” (Oxford University Press, 2022) that examines the division, political partisanship and civic disorder in the United States. 

In their book, Louis Kriesberg, Maxwell Professor Emeritus of Social Conflict Studies, and political science alumnus Bruce W. Dayton ’99 Ph.D., senior research associate in the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration, explain how large-scale political and social conflicts can be waged more constructively, with more positive consequences and fewer destructive consequences for those involved.

After serving as its director or co-director since 2005, Catherine Gerard has stepped down from her leadership role at the Maxwell School’s renowned Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC), effective July 1, 2020. Gerard will continue as an adjunct professor of public administration and associate director for the Executive Education Programs at Maxwell, and also continue her work as co-director of the Collaborative Governance Initiative at PARCC. 

Louis Kriesberg, professor emeritus of sociology, provided his point of view on why the U.S. is so tough on China, Iran and Turkey and on the possible change of the role of NATO and OSCE in Europe.

"Overall, the evidence is clear that social movements seeking substantial change that rely on nonviolent methods are more likely to achieve their objectives than are those movements that resort to violence," says Louis Kriesberg, professor emeritus of sociology. "After all, violence usually prompts counter violence by the more powerful, which suppresses the effort to change the pre-existing conditions."

"An imposed one-sided solution will have other grave consequences for America. There has been considerable security and other realms of cooperation between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, which the U.S. government has aided. President Trump’s moves to impose a settlement will undermine such cooperation," writes Louis Kriesberg, professor emeritus of sociology.

"Widespread public pressure can influence the U.S. Congress so that it corrects the unwise policies pursued by President Trump’s administration," writes Louis Kriesberg, professor emeritus of sociology. He suggests alternatives such as pursuing non-coercive inducements over military coercion, strengthening ties with Muslims, and understanding opposing perspectives.

"President Donald J. Trump has made many statements about foreign policy and already has taken numerous foreign policy actions," says Louis Kriesberg, professor emeritus of sociology. "These statements and actions have often been contradictory and counterproductive. There are reasons for that and better alternatives are available."

"To some degree... both [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Donald Trump] sought to mobilize their potential followers and defeat their adversaries as one waged a struggle for civil rights for African Americans and the other for winning a national presidential election," says Louis Kriesberg, professor emeritus of sociology.

"There are many Israelis who are highly dismayed by the extreme rightist developments in Israel and Obama’s and Kerry’s actions lend them support. Trump’s electoral vote victory threatens to make Israeli-Palestinian relations much worse," Louis Kriesberg, professor emeritus of sociology.

Louis Kriesberg, professor emeritus of sociology, argues that "with the ascent of Trump to the U.S. presidency, the need is greater than ever to think and act creatively," in his article published in the Huffington Post.