Synopses & Reviews
Published almost ten years ago,
The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution has become one of the seminal works in the conflict resolution field. Bridging the gap between highly theoretical tomes and a how-to, practical handbooks, the first edition became an immensely valuable and accessible resource for experienced and novice practitioners looking for a deeper yet practical view of conflict and how to deal with it.
In this new edition, the basic vision and overall organization will be maintained. However, in keeping with current trends and research, chapters will be reviewed and revised to reflect four key concepts--interactional dynamics, system dynamics, culture and conflict, and conflict engagement. These concepts will inform the entire book. In addition, Bernie will specifically
- Add a new chapter on engaging conflict, which will incorporate some of Bernie's work from Beyond Neutrality and Staying with Conflict.
- Include the major work that has been done on culture, systems, and conflict engagement.
- Apply conflict concepts to new technologies, particularly online communication and conflict resolution efforts on the web.
- Incorporate some of the insights and approaches of narrative mediation into the communication and mediation chapters.
- Reference and include other significant writing that applies to conflict theory and to the practical work of conflict practitioners so that this book continues to be seen as a valuable teaching resource.
- Develop an instructors manual including PowerPoint slides, learning objectives and key concepts for each chapter, review questions, and sample syllabus for download.
Proposed TOC for Second Edition
Preface
Part One - Conflict
Chapter 1: The Nature of Conflict
Chapter 2: How People Conflict
Chapter 3: Power and Conflict
Chapter 4: Culture and Conflict
Part II - Resolution
Chapter 5: Engaging Conflict
Chapter 6: The Nature of Resolution
Chapter 7: Communication:
Chapter 8: Negotiation and Advocacy
Chapter 9: The Road to Resolution: Overcoming Impasse
Chapter 10: Mediation
Chapter11: Other Approaches to Conflict Resolution
Conclusion: Conflict Resolution in our Lives
Synopsis
The Dynamics of Conflict
When it was published in 2000, Bernie Mayer's The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution quickly became one of the seminal works in the conflict resolution field. The book bridged the gap between abstract theoretical approaches and practical handbooks and became an immensely valuable and accessible resource for experienced and novice practitioners, as well as for professors and students of conflict management who needed a deep yet practical view of conflict and methods for dealing with it.
The Dynamics of Conflict is the second edition of Mayer's classic book. While building on the strengths of the first edition, this thoroughly revised and updated book keeps pace with the most current trends and research in the field and explores four key concepts: interactional dynamics, system dynamics, culture and conflict, and conflict engagement. Like the first edition, the focus of the new edition is on the ways we can productively think about conflict and conflict intervention, rather than on specific techniques and processes. Mayer presents ideas about conflict as a set of conceptual tools that build on one another and contribute to a multifaceted view of conflict and conflict intervention but that also stand on their own.
Filled with illustrative examples, the book draws from the author's thirty years of experience with interpersonal, family, community, organizational, labor management, environmental, public policy, and international disputes and includes instances of conflicts that have been in the news. In addition, this vital resource contains information on the most important work that has been done in the past decade on culture, systems, and conflict engagement and shows how conflict concepts apply to new technologies such as online communication and conflict resolution efforts on the Web.
In the concluding chapter Mayer explores how conflict intervention efforts fit into more general values about peace, democracy, and social justice, and the personal impact that conflict work as a field has on conflict specialists.
Synopsis
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 exampleswhether about warring nations or a family disputeto 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 largea 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 engagementa 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
Synopsis
When it was published in 2000, Bernie Mayer's The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution quickly became one of the seminal works in the conflict resolution field. The book bridged the gap between abstract theoretical approaches and practical handbooks and became an immensely valuable and accessible resource for experienced and novice practitioners, as well as for professors and students of conflict management who needed a deep yet practical view of conflict and methods for dealing with it.
The Dynamics of Conflict is the second edition of Mayer's classic book. While building on the strengths of the first edition, this thoroughly revised and updated book keeps pace with the most current trends and research in the field and explores four key concepts: interactional dynamics, system dynamics, culture and conflict, and conflict engagement. Like the first edition, the focus of the new edition is on the ways we can productively think about conflict and conflict intervention, rather than on specific techniques and processes. Mayer presents ideas about conflict as a set of conceptual tools that build on one another and contribute to a multifaceted view of conflict and conflict intervention but that also stand on their own.
Filled with illustrative examples, the book draws from the author's thirty years of experience with interpersonal, family, community, organizational, labor management, environmental, public policy, and international disputes and includes instances of conflicts that have been in the news. In addition, this vital resource contains information on the most important work that has been done in the past decade on culture, systems, and conflict engagement and shows how conflict concepts apply to new technologies such as online communication and conflict resolution efforts on the Web.
In the concluding chapter Mayer explores how conflict intervention efforts fit into more general values about peace, democracy, and social justice, and the personal impact that conflict work as a field has on conflict specialists.
About the Author
Bernie Mayer is a professor at the Werner Institute, Creighton University, and a founding partner of CDR Associates. He has been working in the conflict field since the late 1970s as a mediator, facilitator, trainer, researcher, program administrator, and consultant. He is the author of Staying with Conflict, which won the 2009 outstanding book awarded from the CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, and Beyond Neutrality, the winner of CPR's 2004 book award.
Table of Contents
Preface to the Second Edition: A Reflective
Approach to Conflict vii
PART ONE: CONFLICT 1
1 The Nature of Conflict 3
2 How People Approach Conflict 33
3 Power and Conflict 67
4 Culture and Conflict 92
PART TWO: ENGAGEMENT AND INTERVENTION 121
5 Resolving Conflict 123
6 Engaging Conflict 146
7 Communication 182
8 Negotiation 211
9 Working with Impasse 245
10 Mediation 269
11 Other Approaches to Conflict Intervention 301
12 Why We Intervene in Conflict 333
References 345
About the Author 353
Index 355