International Mediation as a Rhetorical Situation: Connecting Context, Actors, and Strategy for Mediation Success

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between characteristics of (1) conflict situations, (2) the participants in mediation processes, and (3) mediation strategies and the influence of these characteristics on mediation success. Previous studies on international mediation have identified numerous conditions of ripeness mediator characteristics that influence the likelihood of mediation success, as well as varying effects of mediation strategies. However, these studies lack a comprehensive framework to connect the context of the situation to the mediation process.Because mediation is inherently a rhetorical process, this study employs a theoretical framework based on the components of the rhetorical situation to analyze how the context of mediation influences the mediator's ability to facilitate a successful mediation outcome. The findings suggest that communication-based strategies may increase the likelihood of mediation success if the conflict situation does not meet conditions of ripeness, and characteristics of the mediator and the disputants' representatives in the mediation process may further influence the likelihood of success.