摘要：The Berghof Research Centre's publication (2006) on "Social Change and Conflict Transformation" genuinely deserves its name of a 'dialogue series'; in this case, a debate between social constuctionist and positivist paradigms that raises over-due questions in the field of conflict resolution regarding power, knowledge and reflexivity. Beginning with a lead article by Chris Mitchell to anchor the debate, the ensuing discussion is a burning fuse that exemplifies that theory and practice cannot be separated. This is not simply a debate about praxis. No, the evolving argument is that our analytical frameworks are too often built on implicit and unacknowledged ontological and epistemological assumptions. Theories of social change and practices of conflict transformation are themselves situated knowledges, socially and politically. The Handbookis especially brilliant for including Vivienne Jabri's more theoretical critique of the de-politicised nature of power contestation with Chris Mitchell's later response to her and the other writers. Mitchell's response is an agreement to disagree, continue dialogue and yet remain firmly entrenched in a positivist paradigm. Oh woe
