Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

A diplomatic strategy where concessions are made to an aggressive state to avoid conflict, often criticized for encouraging further aggression.

Altering the way information or situations are perceived to change emotional responses and behaviors in persuasion or conflict resolution.

A planned approach to making compromises during negotiation to gradually reach agreement without losing key interests.

Conflict mapping visually represents the relationships, interests, and positions of parties involved to clarify sources and dynamics of disputes.

A collaborative process aimed at reaching general agreement among stakeholders by addressing interests and concerns.

A structured approach to building agreement by identifying and sequencing issues from least to most contentious.

The minimum level of agreement required among stakeholders to move forward with a decision or policy.

A collaborative process that seeks agreement among all participants rather than majority rule. It enhances coalition building and stakeholder management.

Dag Hammarskjöld's approach to conflict resolution emphasizing discreet negotiation and mediation behind the scenes.

Disarming technique involves acknowledging and validating the other party’s concerns to reduce defensiveness and foster cooperation.

Distributive bargaining involves negotiating over a fixed resource where one party’s gain is another’s loss, emphasizing competitive tactics.

A communication dilemma where a person receives contradictory messages, making it impossible to respond appropriately, often complicating conflict resolution.

Double-loop negotiation questions underlying assumptions and goals to find innovative solutions beyond surface-level agreements.

Emotional hijacking occurs when intense emotions override rational thinking, impairing judgment and effective communication.

The ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions and those of others. It improves leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution effectiveness.

The effort to manage and regulate emotions to fulfill the emotional requirements of professional roles, especially in diplomacy and mediation.

Empathic listening requires fully understanding and emotionally connecting with the speaker’s perspective to facilitate effective communication and conflict resolution.

A mediation approach emphasizing understanding and validating the emotions and perspectives of all parties involved.

Efforts to use natural resource management and environmental cooperation to support sustainable peace in conflict-affected areas.

Initial diplomatic efforts aimed at assessing the potential for negotiation or cooperation between conflicting parties. It often precedes formal talks or agreements.

A theory explaining how cultural differences influence communication styles and conflict management based on the concept of 'face' or self-image.

Strategies used to protect or restore dignity and respect during conflict or negotiation to maintain relationships.

A face-threatening act challenges or damages a person's self-esteem or social identity during communication, often requiring careful diplomatic handling.

Communicative strategies used to maintain or restore an individual's social image or dignity during interactions, crucial in conflict resolution and diplomacy.

Facework strategies are communication actions aimed at maintaining or restoring one’s own or others’ social dignity during interactions.

A guided conversation process led by a neutral facilitator to encourage open communication and conflict resolution.

The process of guiding a group discussion or negotiation to ensure effective communication and decision-making.

Facilitative mediation guides parties to find mutually acceptable solutions by encouraging open communication and understanding.

Techniques used by mediators to guide parties toward mutually acceptable solutions without imposing decisions.

Using open-ended and neutral questions to guide discussions and encourage deeper thinking during meetings or mediations.

The process of shaping how parties perceive issues by highlighting particular aspects to facilitate understanding and agreement.

1998 peace agreement that helped end decades of conflict in Northern Ireland by establishing power-sharing institutions.

Techniques that focus on creating win-win solutions by addressing the interests of all parties involved rather than competing over fixed resources.

A collaborative approach to address complex issues by combining different perspectives to create value for all parties.

Restating underlying interests in a way that opens new possibilities for agreement and collaboration.

Methods to redefine conflicting interests in a negotiation to find common ground and facilitate agreement.

Interest-based bargaining focuses on underlying interests of parties rather than fixed positions to reach mutually beneficial agreements.

A mediation approach focusing on underlying interests rather than fixed positions to resolve conflicts.

A mediation approach focusing on underlying interests rather than stated positions to find mutually beneficial solutions.

Methods used to facilitate negotiation by focusing on underlying interests rather than fixed positions to reach mutually acceptable agreements.

A negotiation approach focusing on underlying interests rather than fixed positions to find mutually beneficial solutions.

Interest-based problem solving focuses on identifying underlying interests of parties to develop mutually beneficial solutions.

Shifting focus from fixed positions to underlying interests to uncover mutually beneficial solutions in conflict resolution.

Distinguishing underlying needs and desires (interests) from stated demands (positions) in conflict resolution.

A mediation approach that focuses on underlying needs and interests rather than fixed positions to facilitate resolution.

Visualizing and organizing complex problems and stakeholder concerns to clarify negotiation or conflict dynamics.

The ladder of inference describes the mental process of selecting data, interpreting it, and drawing conclusions that affect communication and decision-making.

Active listening that involves understanding both the factual information and the emotional undertones in communication.

Nelson Mandela’s approach promoting truth-telling and forgiveness to heal societies after conflict and apartheid.

A private meeting facilitated by a mediator to help conflicting parties explore interests and negotiate solutions confidentially.

Skillful coordination of private meetings with disputing parties to facilitate progress in mediation.

A mediation method where the mediator moves between parties separately to facilitate negotiation without direct confrontation.

Communication about communication that clarifies meanings, intentions, or misunderstandings during dialogue or negotiation.

A holistic approach to diplomacy involving multiple channels like government, NGOs, business, and citizen diplomacy to solve conflicts.

Negotiation jujitsu uses an opponent’s aggressive tactics against them by redirecting their attacks to maintain control and move toward agreement.

A communication approach focusing on empathy and honest expression to reduce conflict and foster understanding.

Economic and social benefits that arise from reduced military spending after the end of a conflict.

Polarization is the process by which parties in conflict adopt increasingly extreme positions, reducing the likelihood of compromise.

A framework explaining how individuals manage face and politeness strategies to maintain social harmony during communication.

Position reframing involves restating a party's stated demands to reveal underlying interests and open pathways to agreement.

A facilitation technique where a consultant helps a group improve its internal processes and dynamics.

A method where a group challenges plans or arguments to identify weaknesses and improve strategies in negotiation or crisis management.

An active listening technique where the listener paraphrases and reflects back the speaker’s message to confirm understanding.

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and restoring relationships through facilitated dialogue rather than punishment in conflict resolution.

Shuttle communication involves relaying messages between parties who are unwilling or unable to communicate directly, often used in mediation.

A negotiation technique where a mediator travels between parties who refuse direct contact to resolve disputes.

Shuttle mediation involves a neutral mediator communicating separately with conflicting parties to facilitate resolution.

Methods used by mediators to communicate separately with disputing parties to reduce tension and find common ground.

A negotiation technique where a third party communicates proposals between disputing parties who are not in direct contact.

An impartial individual who facilitates dialogue or mediation without taking sides in conflict resolution.

Track One and a Half Diplomacy involves semi-official dialogues between government representatives and non-governmental actors to facilitate conflict resolution.

Informal, grassroots-level efforts involving ordinary citizens to resolve conflicts and build peace.

Informal and non-governmental dialogue between conflicting parties aimed at building trust and resolving disputes outside official channels.

Informal, often secretive diplomatic efforts conducted outside official channels to prevent or resolve conflicts.

A psychological theory analyzing social interactions to improve communication and resolve conflicts.

Analyzing stated positions to reveal underlying interests and needs in conflict resolution.

ZOPA identification determines the overlap between parties’ reservation points to find potential agreement zones.