Fourth International Conference on Peace and Conflict Resolution
Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran
May 29-30, 2023
Cognitive Challenge in the Concept of Conflict and Its Impact on Iran's Foreign Policy in the Transition Period in International Relations
Sasan Karimi, Mohammad Javad Zarif
Abstract
Difficulties in acquiring a correct understanding of the concept of conflict have a significant impact on policymaking in foreign policy, conceptualization of this meaning, and the production of strategies and solutions in that regard. Whether these difficulties are in the sense of dissimilar perceptions or cognitive gaps leading to the reproduction and reaffirmation of previous beliefs, they may create errors in the perception and recognition of instances of conflict and conflict in a country's foreign policy.
What is addressed in this research is the dominant definition of the concept of conflict in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its possible transformation or lack of transformation during the transition period. Also, on the sidelines of this question, we will discuss the meaning of its close concepts such as competition, cognitive difficulties surrounding it, and the impact of these perceptions on the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran during the transition period in international relations.
The purpose of this research is to study a cognitive difficulty in perceiving and giving meaning to a fundamental concept in foreign policy, namely conflict, which can potentially lead to the creation of unnecessary conflicts in the country's foreign policy. The time domain of this research is from the collapse of the Soviet Union and its geographical territory is the Islamic Republic of Iran. The method of this research is content analysis in accordance with the question posed. In addition, ambiguous and sometimes undeveloped perceptions of the concept of conflict, in accordance with the developments of the transitional order of the international environment, are mentioned as the main findings in this research and are considered.
The evolved meanings of conflict in the current international environment, as well as the existing cognitive holes and traps that prevent a proportionate perception in Iran's foreign policy, are considered as the strategic recommendation output of the present research.
Keywords: Conflict; Cognitive Forms; International Relations; Foreign Policy; Transition Period; Perceptual Holes.
