Crisis and conflict communication in the political sphere: general and special

The article analyzes the correlation of the key concepts of "crisis", "conflict" and "risk" in the context of the political sphere in order to identify common and special characteristics of crisis and conflict communication. Special attention is paid to the communicative aspects of such social phenomena as crisis and conflict. The author considers different approaches to determining the correlation of key concepts. The article was based on the ratio of "conflict" and "crisis" as phases increasing in their negative consequences, accompanied by a multiplication of risks that can accelerate the process of transition from one stage to another. The main focus is on the use of crisis and conflict communications in the field of politics. Significant differences between crisis and conflict communications are highlighted in terms of audience, goals, channels, etc. Common features are also described, including in the field of using technologies to reduce social tension. The methodological basis of the research is the work of domestic and foreign authors who consider conflict and crisis phenomena in the context of the political sphere. Based on the work of modern researchers, the limitations of classical approaches (R. Darenfort, L. Kozer) in relation to the political processes taking place in the 21st century are noted. The expansion of the strategic tasks of crisis communications of the state is noted in connection with the increase in risks leading to the destabilization of society. The general characteristics of conflict and crisis communication are highlighted, among which are similar principles of communicative interaction between the state and society (information openness, the operational nature of communication, the use of a wide range of channels), as well as features of two types of communications: scale, different levels of risks, opportunities for rapid localization of a conflict situation, etc. One of the conclusions of the study is to determine the need to review the anti-crisis management system in the political sphere, where it is important to clearly define the boundaries of crisis or conflict communications, since the choice of technologies and tools will depend on this.