Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines how mediators' relational characteristics can alter the outcome of mediation in international militarized disputes. Rather than focusing on neutrality and bias that are rigorously discussed in the mediation literature, this book redefines the sources of effective mediators, impartiality and interest, and shows how such seemingly opposing characteristics of a mediator can lead to successful mediation through different channels, complementing each other. This book also uncovers the two dimensions of mediator trust, fairness and capacity. For mediation to be successful, disputants must trust that mediators are fair and capable of leading to successful mediation. The identification of these two sources is crucial as each of the two relational characteristics of mediators' discussed above improves each dimension of the mediator trust. Moreover, this book explores how impartial and interested mediators are more or less effective in particular conflicts characterized by the
Trade ReviewGood Mediator: Relational Characteristics of Effective Mediators is a noteworthy contribution to the conflict management field that deepens our understanding of the forces that drive successful international mediation. The book advances knowledge in the field by nicely unpacking, in ways that have been overlooked by previous research, the roles that mediator impartiality and interest play in shaping the outcome of mediation. Dr. Lee combines both a compelling theoretical narrative and rigorous empirical analysis of mediation, making the book an important resource for both students and practitioners of international mediation. -- J. Michael Greig, University of North Texas
Lee brings interesting new light to old issues in regard to mediation and in the process provides characteristics of an effective mediate in well-defined circumstances, using both big data and small cases. Her interacting variables are interest and bias, with resources, weight, and conflict stages added as context variables. This book surveys a large number of instances and uses statistical analysis to bring out clear conclusions. Lee then tests her ideas on two cases--Borneo and Yemen--to see how they land on the ground. The study will not lay to rest the debates over interest and bias as a help or hindrance to effective mediation but it will enrich. -- William Zartman, Johns Hopkins University
Table of ContentsChapter One: Mediation Chapter Two: Mediation and Mediator Trust Chapter Three: Mediators’ Relational Characteristics: Impartiality and Interest Chapter Four: Two Dimensions of Trust and Two Relational Characteristics of Mediators Chapter Five: Mediation for the Borneo Dispute and the Yemen Dispute Chapter Six: Good Mediators
