Devious Objectives and the Disputants' View of International Mediation: A Theoretical Framework

Abstract

This article examines the process of international mediation from the perspective of the disputants. It posits that contrary to standard analyses, which tend to examine mediation from the perspective of the conflict or the third party, an examination from the point of view of the disputants provides significant insights into mediation as a form of conflict management. From an inside-out perspective, it becomes apparent that the underlying assumption that a compromise solution is the objective of the disputants involved in the mediation process is suspect. Thus, disputants may become involved in a mediation process in order to improve upon their prospects, but not necessarily in terms of a compromise with their adversary. This article argues that a mediation process carries with it a series of assets that the disputants may value in terms of their pre-negotiation objectives, rather than in terms of the compromise that the previous debates about international mediation have indicated. The disputants may therefore harbour `devious objectives', unrelated to the attainment of a compromise solution, which might include time to regroup and reorganize; internationalization; the search for an ally; empowerment; legitimization of their negotiation positions and current status; face saving; and avoiding costly concessions by prolonging the process itself.

Power Play: Mediation in Symmetric and Asymmetric International Crises

“…Evidence exists that manipulation can bring about "counter-productive results that may lead to an escalation of conflict" under asymmetry (Aggestam, 2002, p. 74; see also Richmond, 1998). By altering disputant expectations and cost-benefit calculations, manipulative mediators tend to resolve crises regardless of whether these resolutions seem fair or reasonable to the parties once the crisis terminates.…”

Reputation and Egotiation: The Impact of Self-Image on the Negotiator

“…As such, the key feature of any negotiation process is not a mere achievement of an agreement, but rather the promotion and protection of one's own interests-which may also be strengthened by a potential agreement. In fact, some parties may use negotiations for tactical reasons-such as "buying" time and/or improving one's international reputation-that would allow them to improve their current position in the conflict without any intention of reaching an actual agreement (Stedman 1997;Richmond 1998). Therefore, negotiations can be considered as concluded "when the parties find a solution that is preferable both to continued conflict and to continued negotiation" (Zartman 2002, 7).…”

Teaching Conflict Resolution: A Model for Student Research in Cyprus

“…Th ey are also required, for informational purposes, to read Th e Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism, Ethnic Confl ict, and the Quest for Peace in Cyprus (Anastasiou 2008), Mediating in Cyprus: Th e Cypriot Communities and the United Nations (Richmond 1998) (Tocci 2004). …”