Chapter 12: Coalitions Flashcards
zWhat is a coalition?
A collection of 2 or more parties within a larger social setting who work together to pursue mutually desirable goals.
Characteristics of a coalition
- Interacting groups of individuals
- Deliberately constructed and issue oriented
- Exist independent of formal structure
- Lack formal structure
- Focus goals (persons) external to the coalition * Require collective action to achieve goals
What is a potential coalition? List the two forms
Potential coalition: an emergent interest group that has the potential to become a coalition by taking collective action but has not yet done so.
Latent coalitions:
-emergent interest group that has not yet formed
Dormant coalitions:
-Interest group that previously formed, but is currently inactive
What is a operating coalition. What are the two forms of operating coalition
Operating coalition: one that is currently
operating, active, and in place.
Established coalition
* Relatively stable, active, and ongoing across an indefinite time and space
* Members represent a broad range of interests e.g. Australian government
Temporary coalition
* Operates for a short time
* Focused on a single issue or problem e.g. Gulf War 1, Nations against Russian invasion of Ukraine
What is a recurring coalition. Any examples?
Recurring coalition: may have started as temporary, but then determined that the issue or problem does not remain resolved
eg. eg. Condominium residents opposing management committee’s decisions.
How Coalitions are formed and developed (list 4 step)**
- Coalitions start with a founder
- successful founders have extensive networks
- founders benefit from early coalition likely to be small - Coalition build by adding one member at a time
- if founder found ally, can benefit when he/she understand others’ interest** - Coalition need to achieve critical mass**
- minimum number of people need to get on board
- others join as their friends and associates are members - Coalition exclude weaker members who dont contribute
Why linking new member ties are crucial**
What are the differences btw strong ties and weak ties
Strong ties: a new member who can bring a lot to the coalition, but demands a lot in return;
Weak ties: a new member who only brings a small amount to the table—enough to leverage the coalition to a “win”— demands fewer, less payoffs requested
Why are weak ties crucial? **
weak ties can create strength for coalition founders
Founders who have a large, diverse network of weak ties are often in a better situation to form a coalition – few strong interests or personalities
Members should be just enough to bring majority and power to coalition but not too powerful to create competition
Why should coalitions disband post success (list 3)**
Revenge of the vanquished: Losing parties want pay back. Revenge motive pits coalitions against each other to keep the other side from succeeding. Disband to avoid unnecessary war
Turmoil within: Competing egos and personalities as coalition becomes more permanent and popular – credit will be disproportionately attributed to different people - jealousy
Desire for anonymity: some do not wish to be openly associated with coalition. People may suspect individual is supporting coalition interests and not individual interests. Disbanding mitigates potential of news being leaked out
What are the three criteria to determine who receive what from coalition effort**
- Equity standard
– Anyone who contributed more should receive more (in proportion to the contribution made) - Equality standard
– Everyone should receive the same - Need standard
– Parties should receive more in proportion based in needs e.g. Propping up a puppet leader
People tend to argue for standard that serve needs best
How is power related to coalition formation
1, Strategic Power
- availability of alternative coalition partners (BATNA Partners) and their capabilities
- Normative Power
- Derives from what parties consider to be fair or just distribution of outcomes** - Relationship based power
- shaped by compatability of preferences btw parties like mutual gains, common ideology
Describe the prospective coalition member roles **
Y AXIS: Level of Agreement
X AXIS: LEVEL OF trust
High-High; Ally (continue with good relations)
High-Low: Opponents (agree to disagree)
Low-High: Bedfellows (highly transactional relationship)
Low-Low: Adversaries (purely working relationship)
Describe coalition member roles
Ally, opponent, bedfellow, fence sitters and adversaries
allies
- Parties who are in agreement with a negotiator’s
goals and vision, and whom the negotiator trusts
opponents
- People with whom a negotiator has conflicting goals and objectives, but who can be trusted to be principled and candid in their opposition
bedfellow
- Parties with whom a negotiator has high agreement on the vision or objectives, but low to moderate levels of trust
fence sitter
- party will not take stand
- fear of taking position as it could lock them in/expose them to risk
adversaries
- low in agreement and cannot be trusted
What are some strategies to deal with allies
Allies:
Affirm agreement on collective vision or objective
Reaffirm quality of the relationship
Acknowledge doubt and vulnerability with respect to
achieving vision and collective goal Ask for advice and support
What are some strategies to deal with opponents
Reaffirm relationship based in trust
State vision or position in a neutral manner Engage in problem solving
