Conflict Resolution and Defunding the police

Strategies for Negotiation &Conflict Resolution

Dr. Janice Barrett

Successful Negotiation

People have differences regarding the definition of successful negotiation. Among these are the following:

1. To do better than the adversary

2. To maximize personal gains, independent of how the adversary fares

3. To minimize personal losses

4. To maximize the adversary's satisfaction (perhaps in exchange for long-run returns)

5. To avoid or minimize conflict

6. To optimize gains for all parties concerned

The first definition of success is based on the assumption that negotiation is a zero-sum game, wherein one party gains at the expense of others. The second and third are based on highly personal motives which may or may not assume a constant sum. The fourth and fifth are based on the assumption that some negotiation strategies may involve appeasement as a satisfactory resolution. The sixth definition is based on the belief that negotiation can be an interactive process wherein the gains experienced by any party are, in totality, greater than the losses avoided by that party from not participating.

This course will examine the negotiation process from the viewpoint of all six of these definitions. It will help participants develop their own analytic, diagnostic and strategic frameworks to achieve their particular negotiation goals.