The word 'conflict' is passive, it is something that happens to us. For example, something we refer to as a conflict might simply be the result of a misunderstanding. But many conflicts aren't that way at all.
Many conflicts are involving situations where the parties are actively engaged in perpetuating the trouble. In such case, far from being passive victims of misunderstanding, we become active perpetuators of misunderstanding.
The word 'collusion' captures this element of active participation more accurately than 'conflict' does, so we use it to describe conflicts where the parties are actually inviting the very things they're fighting against."
From The Anatomy of Peace, by Arbinger Institute.
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