An Analysis of Conflict Resolution Techniques

Abstract

In recent years, researchers investigating conflict resolution processes have developed various problem-solving workshops. These workshops serve two functions: research of the participant-observer variety, allowing researchers to observe real-world conflict behavior; and service, providing insight and training to the conflict participants regarding peaceful resolution of their conflict. They are a form of experiment in international communication and rose from a belief that conventional methods of third-party intervention in international disputes were not very successful. This article analyzes the workshops developed by Burton, Doob, and Kelman, and suggests how we might progress from “pretheories” to theories of conflict and its resolution.

Models of conflict, negotiation and third party intervention: A review and synthesis

“…Cross-fertilization per se has been fruitful. It has helped to produce a rich portfolio of intervention procedures and techniques such as mini-trials, problem-solving workshops (Hill, 1982), and ombudsmen (Silver, 1967). In research, ideas from one area of work have served usefully as stimuli for methodological innovation or hypotheses in another area.…”

“…Participants have also voiced disillusionment about the workshop experience . Beyond these assertions and counterassertions and selective reports, however, there appear to be no systematic evaluations of the effectiveness of these workshops (for a good start, see Hill, 1982).…”

Learning from Conflict Resolution: An Opportunity to Systems Thinking

“…A catalyst of the development of CR was the problem‐solving workshop established by Burton and other members of the Center for the Analysis of Conflict, which provided conflict researchers with an opportunity to investigate the ongoing international conflicts, which in turn enabled concerned parties of the conflicts to meet and discuss possible solutions (Hill, ). In 1957, the Journal of Conflict Resolution ( JCR ) was launched with Kenneth Boulding playing a prominent role (Tidwell, , p.14).…”

The Problem of Transfer from Confidential Interactive Problem‐Solving: What Is the Role of the Facilitator?

“…x-xi). Hill (1982) described the functions of this approach as (1) to provide conflict researchers with an opportunity to investigate the dynamics of an ongoing international conflict, and (2) to provide a setting in which the parties to the conflict can meet to learn about and potentially to resolve the conflict peacefully (p. 111). However, most writing by facilitators about the potential effectiveness of this approach has focused on the second goal.…”