THE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PROCESS
By conflict management, we mean any steps taken to help resolve a conflict peacefully, from bilateral negotiation to third-party mediation. Third-party managers include a variety of different types, including nation-states, state coalitions, regional or international organizations, and individuals (Dixon 1996).
Conflict management efforts involve the interaction of various decisions by disputants and possibly intermediaries. These potential interactions are depicted in Figure 29.1.As the schematic of the conflict management process in Figure 29.1 shows, a third party can offer to help or be invited to manage the conflict at any point in a conflict. If no third party is involved, then the disputants may fight or negotiate themselves. When a third party does become involved as a conflict manager, its actions may or may not lead to a settlement. Should no settlement be reached, the third party may either offer further management or discontinue involvement all together. Following the establishment of a settlement, the agreement may or may not be upheld. Although this chapter focuses on the final phase of the management process, dispute settlements are related to the behavior and results of earlier phases in the conflict management process.