When Conflict Resolution Fails: An Alternative to Negotiation and Dialogue: Engaging Radical Disagreement in Intractable Conflicts

Bringing warring parties to the negotiating table is the aim of any peace process. But what happens when those negotiations falter and conflict resolution fails? Is everything lost or are there prospects for meaningful change in even the most intractable of conflicts? In this insightful book, leading scholar-practitioner in conflict resolution Oliver Ramsbotham explores the phenomenon of radical disagreement as the main impediment to negotiation, problem solving and dialogue between conflict parties. Taking as his focus the long-running and seemingly irresolvable conflict between Israel and Palestine, he shows how what is needed in these circumstances is not less radical disagreement, but more. Only by understanding what is blocking the way and by promoting collective strategic engagement within, across and between the groups involved, can deadlock be transformed. Rich in detail and accessibly written, this book introduces a new and as yet relatively unexplored frontier in conflict studies. Its wider application to other phases, levels and war zones holds out rich promise for extending conflict engagement in some of the world's deadliest and most difficult hot spots.

Oliver Ramsbotham is Emeritus Professor of Conflict Resolution at the University of Bradford and President of the Conflict Research Society. He is co-author of the bestselling and hugely popular survey of the field Contemporary Conflict Resolution, now in its fourth edition.

PART I ARGUMENT CHAPTER 1 LESSONS FROM THE FRONTIERS OF FAILURE Conflict Resolution and Second Order Social Learning CHAPTER 2 CONFLICT RESOLUTON AND ITS ENEMIES The World in 2015: Trends in global violence CHAPTER 3 WHY CONFLICT RESOLUTION FAILS Linguistic intractability and radical disagreement CHAPTER 4 AN ALTERNATIVE TO NEGOTIATION AND DIALOGUE Engaging radical disagreement in intractable conflict PART II CASE STUDY CHAPTER 5 STRATEGIC THINKING FOR POSSESSORS Why should Israel give up anything? CHAPTER 6 STRATEGIC THINKING FOR CHALLENGERS How can Palestinians transform the status quo? CHAPTER 7 STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT The Israeli Strategic Forum, the Palestine Strategy Group, and the Palestinian Citizens Of Israel Group CHAPTER 8 STRATEGIC THINKING FOR THIRD PARTIES Principled Negotiation, Strategic Negotiation and the Kerry Initiative PART III IMPLICATIONS CHAPTER 9 EXTENDED CONFLICT RESOLUTION Other phases, other levels, other conflicts CHAPTER 10 EXPLORING RADICAL DISAGREEMENT Taking agonistic dialogue seriously CHAPTER 11 UNDERSTANDING RADICAL DISAGREEMENT Is there a theory of radical disagreement? CHAPTER 12 LIVING WITH RADICAL DISAGREEMENT Facing an agonistic future

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About Oliver Ramsbotham