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U.S. Domestic Vulnerability And The Supply Of Third-Party Mediation, James P. Todhunter

Peace and Conflict Studies

Abstract

Most U.S. presidents will pursue third-party conflict mediation sometime during their administration. However, the approach and level of commitment to those endeavors vary greatly across time and results are often minimally successful. This study explains this variation in terms of domestic political considerations, suggesting that the potential risks and payoffs in the domestic sphere primarily drive the supply of mediation, rather than conflict characteristics, “ripeness” for resolution, or the national interest. Presidents are shown to engage in mediation when they are relatively secure domestically, enjoying legislative success in Congress. The results are consistent with the notion that presidents prefer …

Lessons From The Kerry Peace Initiative And The Need For A Constructive Approach, Amira Schiff

Peace and Conflict Studies

The failure of the most recent peace efforts in the Israeli Palestinian conflict, by Secretary of State Kerry, followed by the Palestinians’ decision to pursue the unilateral track, underlines the need to examine the factors that led to this failure and to draw lessons that perhaps will provide a better understanding of what is possible to achieve in a future negotiation. The following analysis indicates that the failure of the process can be attributed to structural factors, substantive factors and the third party’s conduct, including setting a goal that was unrealistic, asymmetrical conduct and a lack of understanding of the …

Volume 12, Number 1 (Spring 2005), Peace And Conflict Studies

Peace and Conflict Studies

No abstract provided.

Bridge Across The Race-Class Chasm, Beth Roy

Peace and Conflict Studies

A Review of “Red, White, Black & Blue: A Dual Memoir of Race and Class in Appalachia” by William M. Drennen Jr. & Kojo (William T.) Jones Jr. (Ohio University Press, Athens, 2004)

Exploring The Relevance And Contribution Of Mediation To Peace-Building, Jacob Bercovitch, Ayse Kadayifci

Peace and Conflict Studies

The paper considers the nature and characteristics of peace-building as an approach to conflict. It suggests that mediation should be seen as a particularly important aspect of peace-building efforts, and one that may be used at different phases of a conflict. The paper develops a framework for analyzing the circumstances under which mediation may contribute to peace-building. The framework lays emphasis on contextual and perceptual dimensions. The paper argues that mediation, properly utilized, can achieve not just a settlement of a conflict, but facilitate, in the longer run, a full transformation of relations. Any successful program of peace-building requires some …

Volume 9, Number 2 (December 2002), Peace And Conflict Studies

Peace and Conflict Studies

No abstract provided.

Creative Marginality: Exploring The Links Between Conflict Resolution And Social Work, Jay Rothman, Randi Land Rothman, Mary Hope Schwoebel

Peace and Conflict Studies

The concept of creative marginality refers to the process through which researchers in academic fields move away from the mainstream and toward the margins of their fields and look toward the margins of other fields that may overlap with and fill in gaps in their fields. This interaction, occurring outside of disciplinary boundaries, promotes intellectual cross-fertilization, and it is often the site of innovation. This article examines the links and interactions between the academic disciplines and practices of social work and conflict resolution. The article describes the different theoretical frames and practical approaches of both social work and conflict resolution, …

Exploring Deeper Wisdoms Of Mediation: Notes From The Edge, Margaret S. Herrman

Peace and Conflict Studies

Excerpt

Mediation draws many people into the field of conflict resolution with a promise of rewards like an income stream added to an existing professional practice or agreements pulled from the fires of bitterness and frustration. But for Jim Laue there was more. As a consummate mediator, Jim was equally comfortable mediating technically complex regional disputes, potentially explosive community disputes, and emotionally charged interpersonal disputes. His career began years before a well defined field existed. He came to this work as did others of his and the next generation, determined to address issues of social justice. His mediations during the …

Mediation And Multicultural Reality, Michelle Lebaron

Peace and Conflict Studies

Excerpt

Mediation and multiculturalism arise from separate histories and serve different ends. Mediation is a collaborative alternative to the legal system for resolving all kinds of conflicts. Multiculturalism is the philosophy and practice of honouring cultural difference through developing systems that institutionalize pluralism (Roberts and Clifton, 1990). While each of these ideas have animated programs and literatures, little attention was given to the connections between them until the early nineties.¹ Since that time, conflict resolution systems and processes have been scrutinized for embedded cultural values and implications for who is included and excluded. Training programs in mediation have progressed …

Facilitation And Mediation In South Africa: Three Case Studies, Hendrik W. Van Der Merwe

Peace and Conflict Studies

Excerpt

In this paper I discuss three case studies of facilitation and mediation in South Africa: 1) facilitation between the South African apartheid establishment and the African National Congress in exile from 1963 to 1989; 2) facilitation that eventually led to mediation between Inkatha and the United Democratic Front in Natal over 10 months from 1985 to 1986; and 3)mediation between the African National Congress and the Afrikaner Freedom Foundation (Afrikaner Vryheidstigting, also known as Avstig) over 18 months from 1991 to 1993.