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Mediating Asymmetrical Conflict

Aggestam, Karin LU orcid (2002) In Mediterranean Politics 7(1). p.69-91
Abstract
This article examines the characteristics of asymmetrical conflicts and obstacles to negotiation and mediation. Four barriers are elaborated upon: (a) enduring unilateral actions, (b) contested recognition and leadership status, (c) existential and identity-based framing of conflict and (d) conflicting interpretation of implementation. Consequently, intervention in asymmetric conflicts poses a tremendous challenge for international mediators. To gain legitimacy is particularly troublesome since there often exists a huge discrepancy in the expectations of mediation between strong and weak parties. The empirical case of Norwegian and American mediation is analysed as pure and principal mediation. The conclusion is that the two types of... (More)
This article examines the characteristics of asymmetrical conflicts and obstacles to negotiation and mediation. Four barriers are elaborated upon: (a) enduring unilateral actions, (b) contested recognition and leadership status, (c) existential and identity-based framing of conflict and (d) conflicting interpretation of implementation. Consequently, intervention in asymmetric conflicts poses a tremendous challenge for international mediators. To gain legitimacy is particularly troublesome since there often exists a huge discrepancy in the expectations of mediation between strong and weak parties. The empirical case of Norwegian and American mediation is analysed as pure and principal mediation. The conclusion is that the two types of mediation do not directly address the question of the asymmetrical nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In sum, international mediation is a double-edged instrument in asymmetrical conflicts - particularly principal mediation, as it may produce counterproductive results. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Förhandlingar, Internationell politik
in
Mediterranean Politics
volume
7
issue
1
pages
69 - 91
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:0036305079
ISSN
1362-9395
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
4d639b63-292b-4331-b740-9da5815c131a (old id 156333)
alternative location
http://www.journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=1362-9395&volume=7&issue=1&spage=69
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:59:22
date last changed
2023-10-02 11:30:01
@article{4d639b63-292b-4331-b740-9da5815c131a,
  abstract     = {{This article examines the characteristics of asymmetrical conflicts and obstacles to negotiation and mediation. Four barriers are elaborated upon: (a) enduring unilateral actions, (b) contested recognition and leadership status, (c) existential and identity-based framing of conflict and (d) conflicting interpretation of implementation. Consequently, intervention in asymmetric conflicts poses a tremendous challenge for international mediators. To gain legitimacy is particularly troublesome since there often exists a huge discrepancy in the expectations of mediation between strong and weak parties. The empirical case of Norwegian and American mediation is analysed as pure and principal mediation. The conclusion is that the two types of mediation do not directly address the question of the asymmetrical nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In sum, international mediation is a double-edged instrument in asymmetrical conflicts - particularly principal mediation, as it may produce counterproductive results.}},
  author       = {{Aggestam, Karin}},
  issn         = {{1362-9395}},
  keywords     = {{Förhandlingar; Internationell politik}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{69--91}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Mediterranean Politics}},
  title        = {{Mediating Asymmetrical Conflict}},
  url          = {{http://www.journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=1362-9395&volume=7&issue=1&spage=69}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2002}},
}