GV-506 (weeks 16-17)

Mediation

Types of peaceful management of conflict per UN charter

Direct negotiation-bargainingMediation (3rd party involvement)ConciliationArbitration-adjudication (international law and courts)

What are the characteristics of mediation?

An extension and continuation of peaceful conflict management Intervention of an outsider: individual; group; organization (NGOs)—or combinationIt is noncoercive-nonviolent-nonbinding form of intervention Mediation has as a goal to transform a conflictMediators carry their own baggage consciously or unconsciouslyMediation is a voluntary form of conflict managementMediators are often impartial and acceptable parties

Should mediators be impartial?

Boulding’s three faces of power

Threat powerDeterrenceState authority over citizens

Economic powerIntegrative power

Legitimacy, persuasion, loyalty

All three faces of power are necessary: Why?Examples: Soviet Union, Germany during WWII, British empire

All mediation situations have:

A conflictParties in conflictProcess of mediationContext of mediation

Ingredients of Conflict

1. Needs2. Perceptions—Emotions (role of culture)3. Values (role of culture)4. Power

5. Distribution of costs and benefits (distributional aspects of bargaining)

6. Salience

Why and when do actors mediate?

Conflict is long and complex—security dilemmaParties’ conflict management attempts have reached and impasseThe cost of war has become prohibitive (ripeness moment)

Willingness to cooperateMediators as individuals

Spread their own ideasPut into practice a set of ideasGain access to major channels of political communication (career moves)

Mediators as states:Mandate to intervene (IGOs regional and global)Security and national interestsEnhance their own power and position in global affairs

Mediators are actors

Methods that mediators use

Communication strategiesSupply information-making rapport-clarify the situation—transmit messages from one side to the other

Formulation strategiesChoose meeting siteControl pace and formality of meetingsStructure the agendaReduce tensions-highlight interestsSuggest concessions and help parties to save face

Manipulative strategiesChange parties expectations/incentive structureHelp parties to show commitmentPromise sources or threaten withdrawal (stick and carrot)Threaten punishments

When is mediation successful?

Subjective perceptions of satisfaction

Fairness of mediation and improved overall climate of parties’ relationship

Objective criteria:Cessation or reduction of violent behavior (for how long?)

NGOs as negotiators

Nongovernmental-- non official--independentOxfam, Human Rights Watch, Red cross/crescent, CARE, Amnesty InternationalMédecins sans frontières (Nobel Peace Prize in 1994)

Large spectrum of institutions: humanitarian and developmental goalsBridge between grassroots level and official worldGoals and practices:

HumanitarianHuman RightsConflict Resolution (e.g. Carter Center-Joan B. Kroc Center)What kind of power:

Referent power (relation between mediator and parties)Expert power (information and knowledge)Informational power (mediator as go-between)Legitimacy (based on perceptions of the parties)

Case of Mozambique:

Peace agreement of 1992Declaration of cease-fireRecognition of political parties

National elections and united armyRegional and international involvement negotiated

Outcomes:Renamo resistance movement into a political partyReturn of IDP and refugeesFree and fair elections (87% turnout)