A Framework for Reaching Consensus Under Uncertainty in Multi-Agent Negotiations

Abstract

International negotiations often have to be reached and ratified even though the parties involved have diverging opinions and interests. One of the common protocols used in order to achieved consensus is to make use of a neutral agent, called the facilitator whose role is to assist the procedure by allowing communication equally among different parts and initiate the procedure by a proposal which is more likely to be accepted by all decision makers. A model of this procedure is presented, providing a good candidate for the initial proposal of the facilitator and quantifying various concepts such as the bargaining power of each party.

Towards a Common European Space for Asylum

“…Moreover, the fundamental principles of solidarity and shared responsibility do not seem to be acceptable for certain Member States, while geographical and political position seem to play an important role in both responsibility and reaction. On the other hand, if EU and Member States wish to have common borders and consolidate an area of freedom, security and justice, they need to reach a consensus [7] to control their borders while at the same time implementing asylum policies, respecting the fundamental European values. …”

“…The above data highlight a failure of consensus towards common action. The main underlying theoretical framework is that of group decision making and consensus achievement (or lack of thereof) as developed in [7] and of remote control [8]. We maintain that this lack of will for common action is replaced by bilateral agreements between Member States and non-Member States, supported by special actions, such as fast funds, to achieve border controls.…”