CONFLICT RESOLUTION

What complex decisions do foreign policy makers face regarding intervention?

Deciding whether and how to intervene in ongoing disputes.

What was the response of the Obama administration and EU to Russia's actions in Ukraine?

They provided diplomatic and economic assistance to Ukraine and imposed economic sanctions on Russia.

What challenge did the Obama administration face regarding Ukraine?

Balancing support for a pro-Western Ukraine against the reality of Russia being a nuclear major power.

What do studies on non-neutral interventions primarily focus on?

Military intervention, often assuming third parties choose between military intervention and abstention.

What is a potential flaw in the assumption that third parties only choose military intervention or abstention?

It can lead to biased conclusions and underestimate the actual rate of third-party interventions.

What factors may influence the effectiveness of mediators in conflicts?

Their ability to apply one-sided coercive leverage without fully joining the conflict.

What hypothesis is proposed regarding the cost of intervention techniques?

Third-party states are more likely to use costlier interventions if they are closer in social space to one of the combatants.

How does social proximity affect the choice of intervention techniques?

It influences whether third parties opt for military or non-military intervention techniques.

What did Rosenau criticize regarding studies of joining behavior in foreign policy?

He argued that intervention should include non-military forms such as economic and diplomatic actions.

What do Realist Theories suggest about states' behavior in conflicts?

States join conflicts based on balance of power and bandwagoning.

Why are great powers more likely to intervene militarily?

Due to their capability and power projection, as well as foreign policy interests.

What is a common assumption in studies regarding military intervention?

That conflict occurs only through military intervention.

How do states adjust their behavior in anticipation of allies' interventions?

Expectations of allies' interventions may be shaped by non-military interventions.

What are the three types of interventions categorized by cost?

Military interventions (most costly), economic interventions (mid-level cost), and diplomatic interventions (least costly).

What are the costs associated with military interventions?

Reputational, political, economic, and human costs.

What characterizes diplomatic interventions?

They have lower visibility and specificity compared to military threats.

What do economic interventions involve?

Economic sanctions, trade restrictions, and financial aid.

What does the Corbetta sociological group exchange model suggest?

Third-party preferences are based on social distance from the combatants.

What is the Homophily Principle?

Social actors with shared traits tend to form positive ties.

What does Structural Equivalence imply about interactions between actors?

Even without direct ties, similar connections to others can predict interactions.

How does the difference in military capabilities between combatants affect third-party intervention?

Greater differences increase the likelihood of military intervention.

What do alliances express regarding third-party preferences?

They predict military intervention but do not explain variations in preference strength for lower-intensity techniques.

What is the tendency of third parties regarding regime types of combatants?

They are more likely to intervene in favor of combatants with similar regime types.

What is the implication of the Homophily Principle in international relations?

Social actors with shared traits tend to form positive ties, influencing intervention dynamics.

What is the relationship between social proximity and cooperation among actors?

The closer two actors are in 'Blau space' (social proximity), the more likely they are to cooperate.

How does greater social distance affect ties and conflict?

Greater social distance reduces the likelihood of ties and increases the probability of conflict.

What are the two types of homophily?

Homophily can be nominal (binary shared traits) or graduated (continuous similarity levels).

What was the support level for the social proximity model based on homophily and structural equivalence variables?

Weak support was found for the social proximity model as defined by homophily and structural equivalence variables.

Which factors increase the likelihood of intervention according to the study?

Regime similarity, cultural similarity, and IGO structural equivalence increase the likelihood of intervention.

How do mature regimes behave in terms of resource investment?

Mature regimes are more likely to invest greater resources in supporting similar regimes.

What is the trend in adopting supportive interventions as homophily levels rise?

The probability of adopting diplomatic, economic, and military interventions increases as homophily levels rise.

Which type of intervention shows a more dramatic increase with higher homophily levels?

Military interventions show a more dramatic increase with higher homophily levels.

How do diplomatic interventions behave at lower homophily levels?

Diplomatic interventions remain relatively high even at lower homophily levels.

What happens to military intervention probabilities at maximum homophily levels?

Military intervention probabilities increase significantly at maximum homophily level (3).

What is the trend in adopting antagonistic intervention strategies as social proximity increases?

The median probability of adopting hostile intervention strategies decreases linearly as social proximity increases.

How does higher homophily affect the likelihood of antagonistic interventions?

Higher homophily leads to a lower likelihood of antagonistic interventions.

What is the probability of military interventions at the highest homophily level?

Military interventions drop to near-zero probability at the highest homophily level.

How do economic antagonistic interventions compare to diplomatic or military interventions?

Economic antagonistic interventions are consistently less likely than diplomatic or military interventions.

What is the effect of homophily on costly interventions compared to less costly interventions?

The effect of homophily is stronger for costly (military) interventions than for less costly (diplomatic) interventions.

What is the likelihood of states with closer social ties adopting costly intervention techniques?

States with closer social ties are more likely to adopt costlier intervention techniques to support one another.

How does social proximity influence costly interventions among states in conflict?

States in social proximity but in conflict are less likely to engage in costly interventions against each other.

What role does institutional similarity play in adopting costly intervention techniques?

Institutional similarity reduces the likelihood of adopting costly intervention techniques.

Which structural equivalence behaves as expected in explaining intervention choices?

Only IGO structural equivalence behaves as expected in explaining intervention choices.

How does relative social distance affect intervention choices?

Relative social distance between the third party and the disputants could influence intervention choices.

What is the relationship between greater social proximity and supportive interventions?

Greater social proximity should increase the likelihood of adopting more costly supportive intervention techniques.

What is the relationship between greater social distance and antagonistic interventions?

Greater social distance should increase the likelihood of adopting costly antagonistic intervention techniques.

Which factors predict the adoption of costly intervention techniques?

Regime similarity, institutional similarity, and alliance structure equivalence significantly predict the adoption of costly intervention techniques.

What is the significance of geographical distance in costly intervention choices?

Geographical distance has no significant effect on costly intervention choices.

What are the four competing stories of mediation according to Baruch Bush and Joseph Folger?

1. Satisfaction Story - Collaborative problem solving; mutually satisfying. 2. Social Justice Story - Empower communities to manage disputes independently. 3. Oppression Story - Tool for powerful parties. 4. Transformation Story - Induce change.

What is the primary goal of third-party intervention?

The primary goal is to facilitate negotiation and resolution between parties.

How must mediation be conducted according to cultural norms?

Mediation must be conducted within the cultural norms of the given society or organization.

What are the three levels of power exerted by third-party intervention in mediation?

High power (legal rulings), Medium power (powerful mediators using inducements/threats), Low power (facilitators promoting personal growth and empathy).

What is the primary focus of mediation?

Mediation revolves around solving problems and gaining settlements.

Who are two examples of influential figures in mediation?

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the Quakers.

What is transformative mediation aimed at achieving?

Long-term positive change, empowerment, and recognition of others' concerns.

What must third parties assess before intervening in conflicts?

Their identity, attributes, and interests, ensuring no direct stake in the outcome.

What are some motivations for states to mediate conflicts?

Reasons of security, sphere of influence, and maintaining alliances.

What are the individual-level motivations for mediation?

Altruism, ego-enhancement, and material gain.

What are the two types of power dynamics in mediation?

Coercive (power over) and collaborative (power with).

What are some challenges faced in mediation?

Generalizability, bias/motivation, timing, asymmetries, effectiveness, and ethics.

How is mediation defined?

Mediation is non-coercive, non-binding, and involves a third party facilitating negotiations.

What types of conflicts can mediation address?

Divorce and family disputes, workplace and corporate conflicts.

What is the institutional role of mediation at the global level?

The UN mediates for global stability, security, and diplomatic relations.

What are the three types of mediators?

Social Network Mediators, Authoritative Mediators, and Independent Mediators.

What is the primary role of Social Network Mediators?

To facilitate negotiation and maintain harmony in the mediation process.

What is the focus of Authoritative Mediators?

Formal communication, analyzing information, and facilitating agreement without imposing a settlement.

What characterizes Independent Mediators?

They are neutral with no prior connections and possess specialized expertise.

What are the three roles identified by Saadia Touval and William Zartman in mediation?

Communication (transmitting concessions), Formulation (redefining issues), Manipulation (legitimizing demands).

What are the phases of the negotiation process in mediation?

Initial contact and pre-negotiation, defining issues, generating alternatives, exchanging preferences, integrating alternatives, persuading parties, and implementing the settlement.

What indicators are used to assess the effectiveness of mediation?

Settlement rates, compliance rates, disputant satisfaction, and the nature of the agreement.

What is the ideal motive for family mediators?

Willingness to resolve conflict after failing through unilateral or bilateral efforts.

Why might parties feel obligated to accept mediation?

Pressure from a powerful mediator or fear of damaging their credibility by rejecting the invitation.

What is a common tactic used by parties during mediation?

Stalling for time to strengthen their position or gain leverage.

What is the first task for a mediator in the process?

To evaluate the true motives of the parties involved.

What are the key qualities mediators must understand?

Mediators must understand the parties involved, substantive issues, and negotiation.

What factors contribute to efficiency in mediation?

Efficiency in mediation is based on speed of settlement, cost-effectiveness, and reduction in legal service costs.

What is the role of consultation in mediation?

Consultation aids problem-solving through analysis and understanding of conflict dynamics.

What is pure mediation?

Pure mediation facilitates negotiated settlements using reasoning and persuasion.

What is power mediation?

Power mediation uses leverage or coercion, including rewards and threats.

How is arbitration defined in the context of mediation?

Arbitration involves a third party making a binding judgment based on the merits of opposing positions.

What are post-dispute climate indicators in mediation?

Post-dispute climate indicators include long-term relationships with disputants and the overall atmosphere.

What is the effectiveness of mediation evaluated by?

Effectiveness is evaluated by success in dispute resolution and broader implications for relationships and future interactions.

What is peacekeeping in the context of third-party intervention?

Peacekeeping provides military personnel to monitor ceasefires or agreements and engage in humanitarian activities.

What are the most common forms of third-party intervention?

The most common form is mediation; other methods include conciliation, fact-finding, good offices, peer mediation, arbitration, facilitation, adjudication, mediation-arbitration, policy dialogue, and consensus building.

How does consultation align with Track II diplomacy?

Consultation plays a complementary role to mediation, especially in pre-negotiations.

What are the three levels of third-party intervention?

The levels are Macro (highest), Meso (middle societal influence), and Micro (community or grassroots level).

What is the focus of relationship-oriented mediation at the domestic level?

It focuses on settlement-oriented outcomes, while international levels often neglect emotional and attitudinal considerations.

What is McDonald and Diamond's multi-track diplomacy?

It expands on Montville's Track I (official diplomacy) and Track II (unofficial conflict resolution) to include nine tracks of peacebuilding efforts.

What is Track IV in multi-track diplomacy?

Track IV involves private citizens engaging in mediation and NGO activities.

What does Fisher and Keashly's contingency model match?

It matches third-party interventions to conflict stages, considering both objective and subjective factors.

What are the four stages of conflict escalation in Fisher and Keashly's model?

1. Discussion Stage - focus on joint gains; 2. Polarization Stage - relationship deteriorates; 3. Segregation Stage - 'good vs. evil' narratives arise; 4. Destruction Stage - opponents see each other as 'subhuman'.

What is the recommended intervention during the polarization stage?

Consultation is used to clarify misperceptions.

What interventions are suggested during the segregation stage?

Arbitration or power mediation helps control hostility.

What intervention is appropriate during the destruction stage?

Peacekeeping separates parties, creating space for arbitration.

What should be the first step in intervention according to Kevin Avruch and Peter Black?

Cultural analysis should be the first step in intervention.

What types of power do conciliation, consultation, and pure mediation rely on?

They rely on referent (professional) and expert (knowledge) power ('power with').

What types of power are involved in arbitration, power mediation, and peacekeeping?

These involve legitimate (role), reward, and coercive power ('power over').

What does thorough cultural analysis examine in conflict resolution?

It examines cultural dimensions of conflict and how culture influences conflict expression and resolution.

What is often preferable before formal negotiations according to case studies?

Informal, low-risk discussions.

How do power imbalances affect intervention processes?

They influence both the processes and outcomes of interventions.