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.

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