GCS 300 Midterm

What is SPITCEROW?

framework for conducting in-depth conflict analysis

• S = SOURCES

• P = PARTIES

• I = ISSUES

• T = TACTICS

• C = CHANGES

• E = ENLARGEMENT

• R = ROLES

• O = OUTCOMES

• W = WINNER

In the metaphor of a conflict tree, what do the trunk, leaves, and roots represent?

• Trunk = the issue

• Leaves = what you see

• Roots = the underlying causes of the conflict

What tasks are involved in an early warning system?

• Identification of the type of location of the conflict that could become violent

• Monitoring and assessing conflict progress with a view to assessing how close violence is

Why do Ramsbotham et al. argue that the aim of conflict prevention is not to avoid conflict altogether?

Not all conflict is necessarily bad and some can help solve a larger issue

How can structural prevention of conflict be differentiated from light (or operational) prevention?

• Structural: solves a problem from a root cause to lead to a long-term solution

• Operational: looks for the quickest way to mitigate conflict

What are the indicators that suggest the right time to negotiate in order to bring a conflict to an end?

A mutually hurting statement and ripeness of the conflict

Why did Trump succeed in brokering a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine, whereas Biden failed?

The conflict was still gearing up during the Biden administration and had not reached a mutually hurting stalemate or ripeness stage

Why have attempts to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war failed?

Despite the length of the war there has been no mutually hurting stalemate and both parties still seek to move forward with their respectvie goals

What are the different approaches to negotiation?

Positional Bargaining – win-lose, concessions are a sign of weakness

• Competitive

• May result in compromise outcome

Interests-based bargaining - win-win, mutually beneficial solutions

• Cooperative

• May result in integrative solution

Principled Negotiations

• "Separate the people from the problem.”

• Focus on interest, not positions.

• Generate a variety of possibilities before deciding what to do

• Insist that the results be based on some objective standard

Positional Bargaining

• Win-Win outcomes rather than Win-Lose

Distributive bargaining

• “Win-lose”

• Divides fixed resources

• One side’s gain = other’s loss

Integrative Bargaining

• “Win-win”

• Expands possible outcomes

• Emphasizes cooperation and creativity

Behavioral Bargaining

• Focuses on psychological factors

Three core elements of negotiation

• Parties

• Interests

• Relationships

What are the different types of mediation strategies?

• Family Mediation

• Workplace Mediation

• Commercial Mediation

• Inter-cultural Mediation

• Peace Mediation in violent conflict context

What are the different types of mediators?

• “Insider-partial” mediators

– Linked to disputants

– Community elders, religious figures, friends

• Authoritative mediators

– Formal relationship with the parties

– Supervisors, diplomats, international

organizations

• Independent mediators

– Professionally trained, neutral

• “Mediators with muscle”

– Mediators that can offer incentives (rewards or sanctions) for parties to reach agreement

What roles can third parties play in conflict resolution?

• Communicator

– Purely procedural, go-between, shuttle diplomacy

– Oslo Talks

• Formulator

– Substantive, helps devise settlements

– May start with broad formula (“land for peace,” “one man, one vote,” powersharing), then turn to details

• Manipulator

– Mediator becomes party to the solution

– US role in Dayton talks on Bosnia

– Sanctions and side payments

What are the principal organs of the UN?

• General Assembly

• Security Council

• Secratariat

What are the functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)?

coordinates the economic, social, environmental, and related work of 14 specialized agencies, functional commissions, and five regional commissions

Principles of traditional peacekeeping

consent, impartiality, limited use of force

What is the purpose of aim of peacekeeping?

Monitor agreements already established and protect civilians

Why did negotiations between Republicans and Democrats fail, leading to the longest government shutdown in American history?

Funding for ACA was causing disagreements, conflict wasn’t ripe yet

In peacemaking, what is Track One diplomacy?

The state-led based negotiations

Ex. US government involved with Israel and Palestine