Notes on Intergroup Relations: Conflict Resolution and Collective Action
Mediation and Bargaining in Conflict Resolution
Mediation: A process where a neutral third party helps conflicting groups reach an agreement. Mediators do not impose solutions but facilitate communication, identify common interests, and explore potential compromises. This approach is often effective because the neutral third party can reduce hostility, clarify misunderstandings, and propose novel solutions that the parties themselves might not consider due to emotional biases or entrenched positions.
Real-world Example: The Israel-Egypt conflict in the late 1970s was successfully resolved through US President Jimmy Carter's mediation, bringing Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin together at Camp David. After days of intense mediation, an agreement was reached, leading to the historic Camp David Accords and a peace treaty, effectively ending decades of conflict and demonstrating the power of persistent, skilled mediation.
Bargaining: Direct communication and negotiation between conflicting parties with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable settlement. The success of bargaining often depends on the parties' willingness to compromise, their perception of each other's legitimacy, and their ability to communicate effectively without hostility. Power dynamics and the perceived cost of not reaching an agreement can also significantly influence the outcome.
Example of Ineffectiveness: The media communication between US President George Bush (senior) and Saddam Hussein during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in demonstrated how bargaining can profoundly fail when positions are hard-lined, trust is absent, and hostile rhetoric dominates direct talks. Both parties viewed the situation as a zero-sum game, leading to an inability to find common ground or compromise, ultimately escalating the conflict.