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Conflict within and among nations is a constant feature throughout the world, with prevailing levels of conflict being concentrated in the poor countries. The authors present an integrated model connecting the theory of internal conflict and the theory of lateral pressure by making simulations of two cases, one, a small, weak country with high population density and low technology level, and the second, a large, strong country with a high level of technology. They conclude that such a model relates only to parts of the puzzle that makes up conflict dynamics.

Violent conflict is increasingly viewed as a factor related to sustainable development. This article argues, based on the well-established theory of lateral pressure originally proposed by Choucri and North in 1975, that the relationship arises because the same factors that affect sustainable development also influence conflict, namely population, technology, resources, military force, and trade and bargaining, while conflict, in turn, affects these variables. The theory is tested with a system dynamics model that includes international as well as domestic violent conflict, calibrated to seven countries in southern Africa and six OECD countries. The results show a number of situations in which con flict is perpetuated in a cycle that is difficult to break.