Conflict Resolution in the Twenty-first Century

"An outstanding overview and assessment of contemporary conflict resolution; the authors never avoid the challenging questions, or critical answers." ---Ashild Kolas, Program Leader, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Program, International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO)"Conflict Resolution in the Twenty-first Centuryis very readable and crystallizes the breadth of conflict resolution today and the relevance of new approaches for the future." ---Jeffrey W. Helsing, Deputy Director, Education and Training Center, United States Institute of Peace"This concise and readable volume offers readers an impressive sample of the responses---both traditional and emerging---in the conflict resolution toolbox, crisply outlining how they relate to today's dynamic conflict environment." ---Chester A. Crocker, James R. Schlesinger Professor of Strategic Studies, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University"Authoritative, well written, and astoundingly broad and deep. Must-reading for all students of international and ethnopolitical conflict resolution." ---Dean G. Pruitt, Distinguished Scholar in Residence, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University"The idea that the nature and methods of conflict resolution ought to change as the kinds of conflict that dominate the world-at-large shift is very appealing." ---Professor Lawrence Susskind, Director, MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program"A comprehensive overview, based upon in depth familiarity with the research, scholarship, and practice in the field." ---Louis Kriesberg, Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Maxwell Professor Emeritus of Social Conflict Studies, Syracuse UniversityIn the past, arbitration, direct bargaining, the use of intermediaries, and deference to international institutions were relatively successful tools for managing interstate conflict. In the face of terrorism, intrastate wars, and the multitude of other threats in the postCold War era, however, the conflict resolution tool kit must include preventive diplomacy, humanitarian intervention, regional task-sharing, and truth commissions. Here, Jacob Bercovitch and Richard Jackson, two internationally recognized experts, systematically examine each one of these conflict resolution tools and describe how it works and in what conflict situations it is most likely to be effective.Conflict Resolution in the Twenty-first Centuryis not only an essential introduction for students and scholars, it is a must-have guide for the men and women entrusted with creating stability and security in our changing world.Jacob Bercovitch is Professor of International Relations at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.Richard Jackson is Reader in International Politics at Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom.Cover illustration iStockphoto.com