When is it best to intervene?

The more a conflict degenerates, the more the room for manoeuvre to intervene to solve it constructively is reduced.

In conflicts of moderate intensity (stages 1-3 of the Glasl model), there is the hope that there might be a solution of mutual benefit. Cooperation prevails over confrontation and all the problems that divide the parties, the objective contradictions, remain in the foreground. At this stage, the conflict is still resolvable by the parties involved, without necessarily asking for external help.

In a time of intermediate escalation (stages 4-6), the parties have lost faith in the possibility of dialogue and strengthen the perception of the negative character of the other, of the need for opposition.

The logic, behaviour and psychological dynamics typical of verbal confrontation take over. At this stage, it is believed that the positions of the two parties are now so entrenched that they can only find a solution by themselves with great difficulty; so in these cases, mediation with an external figure is generally recommended.

Finally, at the highest levels of escalation (stages 7-9), the logic of open conflict, with the use of coercion, aggression and violence, may take over. When a conflict arrives at this level of escalation, it is practically impossible to arrive at a satisfactory solution for all parties involved.