The Dynamics of Conflict: A Guide to Engagement and Intervention, Second Edition

The Dynamics of Conflict: A Guide to Engagement and Intervention, Second Edition

by Bernard Mayer
Released March 2012
Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 9780470613535

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Book description

Praise for the Second Edition of The Dynamics of Conflict

"Mayer once again demonstrates his unique ability to weave theory and practice together with real-world examples—whether about warring nations or a family dispute—to help readers better understand both the fundamentals and nuances involved in working in the conflict arena. The Dynamics of Conflict is a very important read for anyone who works with people in conflict."—Peter Salem, executive director, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

"In his latest book, Mayer explores the theoretical underpinnings of conflict as it relates to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions. Personal stories and examples provide practical skills in communication and negotiation, including how to deal with power, impasse, and cross-cultural issues. The book is a must-read for conflict resolution professionals and will also be easily understandable to the public at large—a great tool for businesses, parents, governmental agencies, mental health professionals, and educators!"—Nina Meierding, Negotiation and Mediation Training Services; former president, Academy of Family Mediators

"Mayer has always provided our field with a dose of common sense, vision, and clarity. With The Dynamics of Conflict we can add cohesion and extraordinary integration. Based on deep experience, these chapters enter our most difficult challenges in ways that offer understanding in the midst of complexity and concrete strategies for response and engagement—a masterful example of approaching conflict with skill and respect. Mayer has gifted us with a book that serves the novice practitioner with guideposts, yet opens ever new and exciting pathways for the seasoned conflict specialist."—John Paul Lederach, professor of international peacebuilding, Joan B. Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame; author, The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace

Praise for the First Edition

"A rare blend of practical experience and theoretical knowledge. Insightful, useful, and thought provoking. I recommend it!" —William Ury, coauthor, Getting to Yes, and author, The Third Side

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Copyright
  4. Contents
  5. Dedication
  6. Preface to the Second Edition: A Reflective Approach to Conflict
  7. Part One: Conflict
    1. Chapter 1: The Nature of Conflict
      1. How We Experience Conflict
      2. What Causes Conflict?
      3. Tension Between Expression and Outcome
      4. Why Think About Conflict?
    2. Chapter 2: How People Approach Conflict
      1. Values and Beliefs
      2. How People Explain Conflict
      3. Avoiding and Engaging in Conflict
      4. Styles of Conflict Engagement
      5. Roles People Play in Conflict
      6. Patterns of Engagement: The Conflict Dance
    3. Chapter 3: Power and Conflict
      1. Realities and Myths About Power
      2. Types and Sources of Power
      3. Implied and Applied Power
      4. How Power Is Used
      5. Integrative and Distributive Power
      6. Escalation and De-Escalation
      7. The Power of Alternatives
      8. Power and Social Justice
    4. Chapter 4: Culture and Conflict
      1. What Is Culture?
      2. Cultural Variables and Continuities
      3. A Word About Gender
      4. Handling Culture in Conflict
      5. Culture and Power
      6. How Cultural Differences Help
  8. Part Two: Engagement and Intervention
    1. Chapter 5: Resolving Conflict
      1. Dimensions of Resolution
      2. Pursuing Resolution at the Appropriate Level of Depth
      3. In Defense of Outcomes
    2. Chapter 6: Engaging Conflict
      1. The Challenge for Conflict Practitioners
      2. What People Want in Conflict (and What We Offer)
      3. Conflict Specialist Roles
      4. Six Faces of Conflict
      5. Enduring Conflict
      6. Resolution, Transformation, Engagement, and Social Change: The Purpose of Conflict Intervention
    3. Chapter 7: Communication
      1. The Basis of Effective Communication
      2. Listening and Connecting: The Communication Loop
      3. Challenges to Communication
      4. Speaking with Power
      5. Framing Conflict Constructively
    4. Chapter 8: Negotiation
      1. Popular Assumptions About Negotiation
      2. What Is Negotiation?
      3. The Negotiator’s Dilemma
      4. Dimensions of Negotiation
      5. Positional and Interest-Based Negotiation
      6. Strategic Choices in Negotiation
      7. How Negotiators Reach Closure
      8. Why We Reach Closure
      9. Negotiating with Unethical Adversaries
    5. Chapter 9: Working with Impasse
      1. The Nature of Impasse
      2. Moving Through Impasse
      3. General Questions for Addressing Impasse
      4. Specific Questions for Addressing Impasse
      5. Conflict Within Conflict
    6. Chapter 10: Mediation
      1. What Mediators Bring to the Table
      2. Constellation of Approaches to Mediation
      3. When Mediators Fight
      4. What Disputants Want from a Mediator
      5. Premises of Mediation
      6. What Mediators Actually Do
      7. When Mediation Works, and When It Fails
    7. Chapter 11: Other Approaches to Conflict Intervention
      1. Conflict Intervention as a Continuum of Services
      2. Limits of Mediation
      3. Components of an Intervention Continuum
      4. New Technologies for Dealing With Conflict
      5. The Common Purpose of Conflict Intervention
    8. Chapter 12: Why We Intervene in Conflict
      1. Finding a Better Way to Deal with Conflict
      2. Changing the World
      3. Changing the Conflict Practitioner
  9. References
  10. About the Author
  11. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Dynamics of Conflict: A Guide to Engagement and Intervention, Second Edition
  • Author(s): Bernard Mayer
  • Release date: March 2012
  • Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
  • ISBN: 9780470613535