Peace talks are the most common form of conflict resolution and are often a prerequisite for other peace-building efforts. They are a central component of many international conflicts and involve the process by which armed groups agree to lay down their arms and enter into peace negotiations with the government.
A variety of issues can be addressed during peace negotiations. These include political, security, economic, and environmental concerns. In addition, a wide range of peace-building interventions can be implemented during and after peace talks. However, not all of them will have the same effect and it is important for mediators to carefully consider what they want to achieve by promoting or supporting particular types of intervention.
During peace talks, there is always the risk that one or more party to a conflict will attempt to derail the negotiation process by using threats or tactics designed to weaken the other side’s resolve. A successful mediator will work to identify potential spoilers early on and take steps to isolate and undermine them. This is sometimes referred to as conflict management or avoiding the ‘winner takes all’ approach to the bargaining process.
It is also important that mediators take into account the negotiating style of the parties to a conflict. For example, a survey of Jewish-Israelis and Palestinians in 2020 found that while both groups agreed that peace was linked to harmonious relationships (positive peace), they had very different views on what long-lasting peace would involve (structural peace). These differences influenced their preferences for different conflict resolution methods and whether they favoured a Two-State or a Single-State solution.
About the Author
