PACE-310, Survey in Peace and Conflict Studies

Week 3: Traditional Conflict Resolution or Defining conflict resolution

as restoring harmonious relationships.

(Community-based Conflict Resolution is Dual-Use.

It can be used for both making ethical decisions and resolving conflicts)

1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Exercise for

next week

2. Ho'oponopono
a. spiritual dimension
b. continues as long as necessary
c. Envisions possibility of exile
d. ends with celebratory meal

3. Principled Negotiations (Integrative Bargaining)

a. meet legitimate interests
b. fair resolution of conflicting interests
c. agreement is durable
d. community interests taken into account
e. improves or does not damage relationship
(social-justice theorists)
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Interest Based Conflict

Analysis/Resolution
Interests: desires, wants, fears, values, concerns, wants,
needs etc. (Self-Preservation/Self-Defense)

Bargaining
Position

Perceived Perceived
Interests Interests

Real Real Real

Interests Interests Interests

Basic Basic Basic

Human Human Human
Needs Needs Needs
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How To Talk about Interests

1. Ask OPEN ENDED questions about their interests first so that your
conflict partner feels listened to:
What do you want from the situation? Why?
What are your concerns? Why?
If they take a position ask: Why do you want. . .?

2. Listen to what your conflict partner says without responding, except to

clarify issues.

3. Summarize your conflict partner's concerns to check if you have

understood correctly of missed anything.

4. Acknowledge your conflict partner's interests as being a vital part of the

problem to be solved.

5. Communicate your interests:

Decide what you want/need from the situation.
Explain what you want/need from the situation.
Explain what you are concerned/worried about.
Don't propose a solution yet.

6. Be "hard on the problem, soft on the people"

7. Brainstorm solutions:
a. Have both conflict partners list their interests & Compare lists.
b. Consider all solutions, including "crazy" ones.
c. Consider partial solutions.
d. Piggyback one solution on another.
e. Expand and develop possible solutions.
f. Include ideas you don't like.
g. Include ideas that appear to favor your conflict partner.
h. NO CRITICISM during brainstorming.
i. Ensure that most important interests of both conflict partners have
been addressed.
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Brainstorming
Invent options for mutual gain:

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Ho'oponopono
(Community-based Conflict Resolution is Dual-Use.
It can be used for both making ethical decisions and resolving conflicts)

1. Spiritual dimension

2. Continues as long as necessary

3. Envisions possibility of exile

4. Ends with celebratory meal

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Ho'oponopono Definitions
'Ohana   Family blood ties, more recently a very close grouping
 
Haku   An unbiased mediator, one that is' respected by all
 
'Aumakua   Family god often represented by a living creature or
plant
 
PuleWehe   Opening prayer, usually said to the family aumakua
 
Kukulu Kumuhana   A pooling of mana (energy/strength) directed to a
positive goal. A unified force. This is also the clear,
objective statement of the problem made by the haku.
 
Mahiki   The discussion of the problem, a time to unravel, to peel
off each layer or event that has created the hihia
 
Hihia   Tangling of emotions that hinders forgiveness
 
Hala   Fault or transgression.
 
Ho'omauhala   Period of unrest, still holding a grudge, hostility.
 
Ho'omalu   A silent period, a 'time-out', a resting period
 
'Oia I'o   The flesh of truth, absolute truth, the essence of truth
 
Mihi   Forgiveness, repentance, apology, confession
 
Mo Ka Piko   To sever the umbilical cord; symbolically, to cut off an
'ohana member (an infrequent ending, but an option)
 
Pule Ho'opau   Closing Prayer  
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Shortcomings
I. Interests-Based Conflict Analysis/Resolution:
(Interest-based Conflict Resolution is Dual-Use.
It can be used for both making ethical decisions and resolving conflicts)

Shortcoming: 1. tends to ignore the common good.

2. tends to make enemies of the parties.
Solution: 1. to introduce concern for the common good.
2. to change the focus from the two
conflicting personalities to conflict partners,
and

3. to focus from a subjective view of "that

which each party wants" to an objective view
of "that which is in between" (the interest)

II. Community-Based Conflict Analysis/Resolution:

(Community-based Conflict Resolution is Dual-Use.
It can be used for both making ethical decisions and resolving conflicts)
Shortcoming: 1. tends to ignore the individual
2. tends to lack a means to challenge a
community's rules, customs, and
principles.
a. Example, Is patriarchy ("Father
knows best.") the best principle for
restoring harmony?

Solution: A Rights-Based Conflict Analysis/Resolution is

a practical solution as it allows individuals and groups to
challenge a community's rules, customs, and principles.

1. Examples: Gay Rights movement, Antigone

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Successful  Negotiations  
 
I.    Should  produce  a  wise  agreement  if  
agreement  is  possible.  
 
A.    A  wise  agreement...  meets  the  
legitimate  interests  of  each  side  to  the  
extent  possible,  resolves  conflicting  
interests  fairly,  is  durable,  and  takes  
community  interests  into  account.  
 
II.    Should  improve  or  at  least  not  damage  
the  relationship  between  the  parties.  
 
 
Fisher  and  Ury.    1991.    Getting  to  Yes.    New  York:  Penguin  Books.    p4  
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