Johan Galtung, recognized as one of the founding fathers of peace studies, developed the Conflict Triangle as a fundamental analytical tool to understand the complexity of violence. More than just a simple graphic representation, this model offers a deep insight into how different types of violence interact and how they manifest in social reality.

The Conflict Triangle not only describes visible violence, but it also reveals the hidden dimensions that support it, allowing us to address conflicts in a more comprehensive and effective way.

The central premise of the Conflict Triangle is that violence is not a monolithic phenomenon, but rather consists of three interrelated elements: direct violence, structural violence, and cultural violence. Galtung compares violence to an iceberg: direct violence, the visible acts of physical or verbal aggression, represents the tip of the iceberg, the part that is seen at first glance. However, beneath the surface, hidden from direct observation, are two much more insidious forms of violence: structural violence and cultural violence.

Direct violence is the most evident and tangible form of violence. It manifests through concrete actions that cause physical or psychological harm to people. Examples of direct violence include wars, murders, physical assaults, bullying, domestic abuse, and rape. This form of violence generally attracts the attention of the media and generates more immediate social condemnation. However, Galtung argues that focusing only on direct violence is insufficient for understanding the dynamics of conflict in its entirety.

Structural violence refers to the inequalities and injustices embedded in social, economic, and political structures. These structures create conditions of oppression, discrimination, exclusion, and deprivation that prevent certain groups from accessing basic resources, opportunities, or rights. Structural violence does not manifest through direct violent acts, but through the denial of basic human needs. Examples of structural violence include extreme poverty, lack of access to education or healthcare, racial or gender discrimination, labor exploitation, and political oppression. This form of violence is more subtle and often goes unnoticed, but its effects can be as devastating as direct violence.

Cultural violence refers to aspects of culture that legitimize or justify direct and/or structural violence. It includes norms, values, beliefs, symbols, language, and ideologies that create an environment of acceptance or even normalization of violence. Cultural violence provides the ideological framework that justifies discrimination, oppression, and aggression. Examples of cultural violence include ideologies that promote racial supremacy, misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, extreme nationalism, or religious justifications for violence. This form of violence is the deepest and most ingrained, as it is transmitted through socialization and internalized by individuals.

The interrelationship between these three types of violence is essential for understanding the dynamics of conflict.

Cultural violence legitimizes and justifies structural violence, which in turn creates the conditions for direct violence. For example, a culture that promotes gender inequality (cultural violence) can lead to social structures that deny women access to education or work (structural violence), which can, in turn, increase the risk of domestic violence or sexual assaults against women (direct violence).

Galtung’s Conflict Triangle offers us a powerful tool to analyze conflicts in a more comprehensive and profound way. By considering the three forms of violence, we can identify the root causes of conflict and design more effective intervention strategies that address not only the visible symptoms (direct violence) but also the hidden roots (structural and cultural violence). This holistic approach is essential for building positive and lasting peace.