March 3: Negotiation

Conflict: Chapter 14

This chapter focused on different forms and theories of negotiation and discussed its variability due to its wide variety of contexts. Several conceptual frameworks were introduced: Game and decision theory, Social-psychological approaches, Negotiating in organizations, and Negotiation as diplomatic politics. The author focuses on the importance and applicabilty of empirical research done by social scientists. The author also gives a framework of the influences in and processes of negotiation. The topics included in this framework are: Preconditions, Process, Outcomes, Implementation, Conditions, and Background factors. Using the research on negotiation that has been completed and the framework provided, it is easier to design strategies for negotiation that have better chances of success.
Since I am interested in doing research, I thought this chapter was interesting. However, I also found it hard to follow in some areas. I think this is because the different conceptual frameworks seemed to overlap so much in my mind. Since negotiation can be seen at different levels, it is hard to view it from only one. For example, it seems difficult to me to look at the interactions that occur between individuals involved in negotiation without considering the social structure that they act within.

Guelke, Adrian. "Negotiations and Peace" (Darcy and Mac Ginty. 2008. Contemporary Peacemaking 2nd ed. Pg 63-77)

This article addresses peacemaking and negotiations and talks about the success of each in different situations. The article goes on to talk about 7 steps that are present in any negotiation of a violent conflict: 1. Pre-talks, 2. Secret talks, 3. Multi-lateral talks, 4. Negotiating to a settlement, 5. Gaining endorsement, 6. Implementing provisions, and 7. Institutionalization. Although every conflict has different peculiarities, these 7 steps represent a general pattern that negotiations follow. The author addresses how negotiation can go wrong in different phases. He also talks about the possible reasons some negotiations do not work in regards to the steps he provides. For example, he argues that if there isn't a high chance of unacceptable levels of violence returning if a settlement is not reached in negotiations, parties often will not come up with a settlement.
I found this article a little hard to read, but I also found it helpful for analyzing violent conflict on a large scale. It was intimidating to recognize all of the places where negotiations may go wrong or fail to reach the next level. Looking at negotiation from this perspective makes me realize how time-consuming this process can be. I thought it was interesting that the process goes through institutionalization because most people probably think of negotiation ending at step 4. This shows the importance of maintaining the relationship between parties even after they leave the table; it also shows the possible importance of bringing officials back to the table to regroup and analyze the progress (if any) that has been made. The author addresses the idea of changing norms in society. It would make sense that a society that is going through negotiation could have swift social change. Therefore, it may be necessary to reorganize and readdress concerns and agreements after they have been made to make sure that the settlement is still applicable.