S1 - Peacemaking in Conflict Resolution

Question 1

what is conflict

Answer 1

active disagreement between people with opposing opinions or principles

fighting between two or more groups of people or countries

conflict is inherent in social relations / conflict is central to the process of change / conflict is a challenge as well as an opportunity

opposing opinions / principles

two or more groups

Question 2

negotiation - basics

Answer 2

two parties

direct communication

own concerns

party a –> <– party b

Question 3

mediation - basics

Answer 3

three parties

mediated communication

outside process

party a –> mediator <– party b

Question 4

peacemaking as conflict resolution

Answer 4

Transforming zero-sum perceptions into a non-zero-sum

Promoting cooperative behavior

Reframing the issue: Differentiation of positions, interests and needs

zero –> non-zero sum / cooperative beahviour / reframing

Question 5

positions

Answer 5

What negotiators say they want

Usually comprehensive (unilateral) set of solutions

Sometimes formulated even as extreme terms

Question 6

interests

Answer 6

Interests

Fundamental demands that inform positions

Means to an end

Question 7

needs

Answer 7

Tangible: security, food, shelter, economic well-being

Intangible: autonomy, self-determination, justice, equal treatment

Question 8

negotiation is…

Answer 8

A communication process

Aimed at achieving specific goals

Where parties in conflict work together to shape an outcome

That meets their interests better than their best alternatives (like war)

–> it needs to be better than your best alternative because you can always walk away from negotiations if you’re not happy with the outcome.

communication process –> achieving specific goals –> parties work together for shaping outcome –> meets interest better than BATNA

Question 9

BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement)

Answer 9

Sometimes even the best efforts at negotiation do not produce any results

Alternatives that both sides would take if they did not negotiate, or will take if the negotiation fails

Question 10

communication

Answer 10

Takes place whenever you want something from someone else

Question 11

interests in negotiations

Answer 11

Explicit proposals are put forward

Negotiator’s primary focus is to protect or advance interests

Agreement comes in second

Some parties enter the negotiation to stall and not reach an agreement