Conflict can arise or escalate when our interests and values are not aligned. Read more about how some of these misalignments played out in the Star Wars story.

We were thrilled to speak with Melissa and James of Star Warsologies about conflict resolution in the saga.

Let’s take it as a given that Han shot first. Was he ethically justified in doing so?

In Star Wars and Conflict Resolution, Danielle Blumenberg breaks down the transformation of Anakin into Darth Vader and then back again. It’s all about working through identity needs.

Emotions lead to the dark side, right? That means suppress your emotions … but then that can create problems too. Authors Gert-Jan Lelieveld and Welmer Molenmaker explain.

In the second chapter of Star Wars and Conflict Resolution: There Are Alternatives to Fighting, author Tom Freeman examines how lightsaber color and fighting styles affect the outcomes of duels in the Star wars universe, and the outcomes of conflict in our own world.

Star Wars is all about battles … and meetings. Learn more about how the various meetings and councils in the saga can help explain how the Resistance ended up victorious.

It turns out that Darth Vader is not a great negotiator. You may think that doesn’t matter but consider what happens when he makes deal after deal with Lando in TESB—failing to recognize Lando’s growing dissatisfaction ends up leading to the destruction of the second Death Star.

The women of Star Wars are formidable—and not just at fighting.

“You want to go home and rethink your life.” Justifiable nudge or inappropriate manipulation? Learn more about how the Jedi and other negotiators use mind tricks and other tactics to get what they want (or suffer the consequences).

When describing C-3PO, the word “empathy” may not jump immediately to mind. Yet the protocol droid’s empathic development may have just saved the galaxy.

What is a pre-dispute agreement to arbitrate, and should stormtroopers have such an agreement in their employment contracts? Find out more.

There’s not much mediation in Star Wars … or is there? We may not see mediators intervening in the saga’s battles but the values of mediation—redemption, restoration, forgiveness—are present.

The characters of Star Wars fight, yes, but they also negotiate. Find out more about the dealmaking and bargains of a galaxy far, far away.

A conflict arises. Do you avoid it? Try to make everyone feel better? Strive to win? We may default to a particular approach in conflict, but we can also choose more strategically and intentionally how to respond.

What does neurochemistry tell us about midi-chlorians?

Rey and Kylo Ren are a dyad in the Force and also bitter rivals. How does their escalating conflict end up working out so well?