Author: Mark Juergensmeyer* Publisher: University of California Press, 1984; Paperback Edition 2002; 174 Pages
*Juergensmeyer is Professor of Sociology and Director of Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Report from: Laura Tourte, University of California Cooperative Extension
Note about Selection: I selected this book because, as an administrator (at least for part of my assignment), I inevitably have to deal with conflict. I have tried to discover ways in which conflict can produce positive outcomes, or outcomes in which everyone gains something from the experience. This book intrigued me in that it is described as a practical guide "to show how parties can rise above self-interest to find resolutions that are beneficial and satisfying to all". Interestingly, I just learned that this book was the "2003 selection" for the UC Davis Campus Community Book Project. To learn more about the book (beyond this report), and the project, you may visit the website http://occr.ucdavis.edu/bookproject.html.
General Overview: The author writes "Gandhi pioneered what is now called the win-win approach to conflict resolution" and indeed, the book's first section takes the reader through written steps and illustrations to work with and evaluate conflict from a win-win perspective. The techniques learned from the book's first section are then applied to case studies in the second section with the goal of demonstrating pitfalls and potential positive outcomes. The book's final section sets up imaginary debates between Gandhi and three historical "thinkers" (Marx, Freud, and Niebuhr) to challenge and discern some of the differences in their philosophies.
More Details: Conflicts, struggles, and fights—all are words used when two or more people have what Gandhi describes as differing "angles of vision" or underlying principles. Gandhi believed that conflict could be resolved by "satyagraha", or "truth force". The author simplifies this concept by stating that in each confrontation lies, "in some measure, truths from each view". "Satyagraha attempts to find a new position, more inclusive than the old ones, to move into it". This type of conflict resolution "synthesizes positions" and is therefore superior to others such as forced victory, accommodation and compromise, and arbitration and law, because ostensibly there are no losers. However, the book points out that satyagraha "does not offer certainty—it only provides a license to hunt for truth". A larger discussion of what "truth" is, violence and struggle, coercion, recalcitrant opponents, strength, and the power of non-cooperation follows. In addition, the book lists 10 basic rules to conflict resolution, which are summarized below.
10 Basic Rules:
1. Do not avoid confrontation. Avoidance simply prolongs underlying conflicts. Encounters between positions bring clarity.
2. Stay open to communication and self-criticism. Critical perspective is needed to sort out truth from untruth.
3. Find a resolution and hold fast to it. Seize onto harmonious alternatives, but be willing to challenge and change them.
4. Regard your opponent as a potential ally. Do nothing to harm or alienate your opponent. Your goal is to join forces to struggle against untruth.
5. Make your tactics consistent with your goal.
6. Be flexible. Be willing to change tactics, alter goals, and revise notions, including those of your opponent and your conception of truth.
7. Be temperate. Escalate your actions by degrees. Opponents should not feel intimidated, thereby fostering communication rather than defensiveness.
8. Be proportionate. Determine trivial vs. important issues. The basis for judgment is the degree to which life and the quality of life are abused. Mount a campaign of strength equal to that of the opponent.
9. Be disciplined. Especially when involving large numbers for collective action. Make certain your position is coherent, consistent, and committed to nonviolence.
10. Know when to quit. Deadlocked campaigns or ones with negative results may require revision in tactics or a change of goals. Concession, without agreement on principle is not victory. Victory can only be claimed with both sides can say the same.
"Winning in the Gandhian sense, requires a transformation of relationships".