Rational Mediation

A Theory and a Test

Bibliographic Data

ID3917255
AuthorsLesley G Terris (Tel Aviv University, corresponding author), Zeev Maoz (0000-0002-2616-5140, Department of Political Science, University of California, Davis,, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume42
Issue5
Pages563-583
Publication date2005-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Peace Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3433 • E-ISSN: 1460-3578
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0022343305056231
OpenAlexW2171112613
LanguageEN
Citations received36
References cited42

Although mediation between disputing states seems to have become a prevalent method of conflict resolution, especially in the post-Cold War era, the fact remains that in only 35% of all militarized disputes since World War II did some form of third-party mediation take place. This suggests that some conflict situations are more open to mediation than others. This study develops and tests a rational model of the conditions under which mediation will occur in international conflicts. The model explores the mediator's intervention dilemma in terms of her perceived ability to transform the game that characterizes the present conflict into a game of (partial or complete) cooperation. The measure of conflict versatility is offered to denote the likelihood of, and difficulty involved in, such transformation. It is argued that the greater the versatility of the conflict, (1) the more likely are disputants to seek mediation, (2) the more likely are outside parties to mediate, and (3) the more intrusive the mediation strategies employed. Examining data on Militarized Interstate Disputes (MIDs) since World War II, the authors find substantive support for these hypotheses. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and empirical implications of these findings

Alternative dispute resolution · Conflict resolution · Dilemma · Economics · Empirical research · Epistemology · Mediation · Party-directed mediation · Political science · Positive economics · Test (biology) · Transformative mediation · Conflict Management and Negotiation · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Psychology · Social Psychology

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