Mediation
From Ethical Politics
Mediation is simply defined as: The attempt to settle a dispute through a neutral party. (dictionary.com) That is a broad definition and covers a lot of ground -- as does the field of mediation.
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Settlement vs reparation
On one end of the spectrum, settlement is the goal to be achieved. At this far end, retired judges act as evaluators and convince litigants to agree to a settlement that has been developed by the mediator. At that far end of the spectrum, the parties usually meet in separate rooms and never talk with each other.
On the other end of the spectrum, repairing the relationship is the primary goal and the issue is seen as an underlying break in the relationship. Transform the relationship and the issue won't be so important. Emotions are brought to the table and expressed face to face.
Between those poles, there are many different models of mediation and applications for the models.
Interest-based mediation
Facilitative, interest-based mediation is widely used in community, family and commercial mediation. The classic story which illustrates interest-based mediation is this one:
Billy and Bobby are arguing in the kitchen when Mom comes in. I have to have this orange, each exclaims to Mom. There is only one orange and Mom offers to cut it in half. They each scream in protest. I must have the whole orange says Billy. No, I must have the whole orange, says Bobby. Mom is perplexed. Billy, why do you need the orange, she asks. Because I must have the peel of one whole orange to make Grandma's birthday cake. And why do you need the whole orange, Bobby? she asks. Because I must have the juice of one whole orange for my cold.
When each interest was known, the answer was simple. One orange was enough that both of them could meet their needs. The interest-based mediation is resolved.
Additional resources
- Mediate.com
- National Association for Community Mediation
- Institute for Study of Conflict Transformation
- Association of Conflict Resolution
- The Promise of Mediation, Robert A. Baruch Bush and Joseph P. Folger. 1994, revised edition in 2005.
- Conflict Revolution: Mediating Evil, War, Injustice and Terrorism, Ken Cloke
- Crossroads of Conflict: A journey into the heart of dispute resolution, Ken Cloke
Videos
- Jim Melamed, CEO of Mediate.com, on his personal introduction to mediation
- Gary Friedman on mediation through understanding
- Dan Simon on transformative mediation
See also
- Comprehensive Law - legal alternatives incorporating procedural justice and personal dynamics
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Author: J Kim Wright
