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The Psychology of Consensus in Melanesia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Leo Marai*
Affiliation:
University of Papua New Guinea. marail@upng.ac.pg
*
*Address for correspondence: Leo Marai, University of Papua New Guinea, PO Box 320, University, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

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Consensus is an essential ingredient for conflict resolution, reconciliation, agreement, and peace in Melanesian societies. The psychological aspects of its positive influence in establishing a common ground between conflicting parties have not been explored. From a psycho-cultural perspective, I focus on the positive dynamism of consensus. I provide the Bougainville crisis within Papua New Guinea as a case vignette to illustrate the utility and significance of consensus in the search for concrete principles to unite a ‘disoriented’ world. In doing so, the issue of incorporating indigenous psychological knowledge into mainstream psychology becomes clearer. The article searches for psychological principles germane to reducing conflict and maintaining peace. This kind of utility is exemplified in a case study of achieving consensus in Papua New Guinea.

Type
Articles and Discussions
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007