Book Review-IV

 International Conflict Resolution 

Charles Hauss, London: Continuum, 2001, Pages 244.
by Rafeh A. Malik, Asst. Research Officer (IPRI) 

The book is divided into two parts, the first devoted to theories and concepts and the second, examining case studies of South Africa, Northern Ireland, Israel and Palestine, Bosnia and Iraq. The case studies facilitate and deepen the understanding of theoretical issues concerning conflict resolution. He has very eloquently traced the three stages in most typologies of international conflict; origins,  ending the fighting and reconciliation. He pays a great deal of emphasis on the analytical rather than the normative aspect of international disputes.

The first part of the book starts with theory, where in the first chapter the author gives a brief insight to the fact that one cannot ignore either their own values or emotions in trying to come to grips with international conflict and its resolution. He emphasizes on the fact that conflict is an inescapable part of our life from our personal level to the international level. He further elaborates on the solutions for win-win outcomes, reconciliation and stable peace consideration. He further explains the two main theories, Empirical and Normative. While Empirical theory seeks to explain as why certain phenomena occurs, with the focus on cause and effect relationship, Normative theory on the other hand prescribes as to what should be done in swift resolution while dealing with the phenomena.

In order to understand conflict, the author stresses on the need to understand the nature of conflict - protracted violence, where the international dimension of the conflict should not be ignored. At times the actions of other states are consciously intended to provoke or sustain conflict as was the case with Soviet aid to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and African National Congress (ANC) for much of the Cold War and American support to Iraq during its war with Iran.

The writer has very prolifically blended the theories in the first part of the book. He explains how conflicts are influenced by two main sets of motivation, one’s own perceived self-interest and concern for the impact of what happens on the other side. The first stage of conflict, where tensions deepen to the point that violence becomes a possibility, should be avoided through preventive diplomacy. States and other actors should assist in peace building process when a conflict has outgrown its size, by allowing time and encouraging restrain, which may be difficult in most of the cases. He further elaborates on the reason as to why new theories on win-win conflict resolution and stable peace are at least possible.

Highlighting the views of the pluralists who differ with the realists on the premise that win-win agreement to end conflict is difficult, due to the obstacles and opportunities. Further elaborating on the views of the pluralists, he states that long standing disputes are most often resolved only after they have reached a hurting stalemate, at which point the parties realize that the costs of continuing the fighting outweighs any potential benefits.

In the second part of the book, Hauss starts with the case study of South Africa. He gives a vivid description of how theory has interplayed with its implementation. How the case of conflict resolution in the post apartheid South Africa has been smoother and different from the others. How the post apartheid government in general and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), in particular, have tried to weaken the image of the enemy and other psychological barriers to reconciliation, and the role, leaders of the both sides played from the start of negotiations.

The author has very carefully chosen the example of the Northern Ireland conflict, which has a mix of strong cultural and economic roots along with religion. The slow and incremental progress of Northern Ireland demonstrates how widening are the international implications. How third party mediation affects the resolution process, how George Mitchell along with international team headed the negotiations and gained trust of the leading politicians. He stresses on the fact that one needs good political leadership for good politics. 

On the other hand, when Hauss takes the case study of Israel and Palestine, he highlights the origins of the centuries old conflict, the place having holy significance to three religions. He does not undermine the importance of the third party mediators but shows the difficulty they face in finding an effective resolution. In this case, he gives an example of the weakness of the international community when interest of major parties is involved, the way domestic politics in general and leadership in particular can both be a source of progress and obstacle to peace. How the continued role of ‘rejectionist’ groups and more widespread images of the enemy between both states has been an impediment.

The author has very carefully examined the dialectics of conflict resolution in the Bosnian case study, as how it offers empirical support both for those who are optimist and those who are pessimist about the prospects for win-win conflict resolution and reconciliation, depending how one factor has played itself out. How the Bosnian conflict reflects on the rationale that why it is that international conflict resolution is difficult to achieve. How the changes of the post Cold War world helped cause the conflict initially, delayed the international response and finally made Dayton Agreement possible. He highlights the fact as to how political leaders and domestic policies in general can intensify a dispute.

In the final case study of the book, Charles Hauss gives the example of Iraq, as to how difficult it is to achieve a win-win situation, and suggests need to find better ways of settling disputes. How conflict resolution was never a goal of leaders on either side.

This book gives a good understanding of general trends in the field of international conflict resolution by considering theories and case studies together.