BeyondIntractability.org   BeyondIntractability.org
Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict
   


Introduction: Track II players are constantly trying to win legitimacy and respect in the eyes of Track I officials, says Ron Fisher, of American University. Ideally, they will work together in a complementary way, either sequentially or sometimes simultaneously.


This rough transcript provides a text alternative to audio. We apologize for occasional errors and unintelligible sections (which are marked with ???).

Cooperation Between Track I and Track II
Ron Fisher
Professor of International Peace and Conflict Resolution, School of International Service, American University
Interviewed by
Julian Portilla
2003

The contingency model as it is laid out is a simple linear sequence just to get the logic and the rational there. It is much too simplistic because there is recycling, there can be recycling I am sure with in it, but also some people make the good point in these very complex intractable conflicts that rather than sequentially you should have simultaneous. A lot of things can happen at the same time, and be useful and cross-fertilize and so on.

I wouldn't argue with that part of the reason for the contingency model was wanting to find a conceptual place where there was an opportunity for the softer unofficial methods of conflict resolution to be involved and respected. You have to understand that part of the development of this whole field has been a small people political battle with those of us working in the unofficial domain looking to get some credibility and visibility from those in the official domain; or their supporters, if you will. Part of it has been convincing realists in international relations, as well as policy makers and government that we have something valuable to offer in a complimentary way. I think it's a good model in its own conceptual right but it also had a political motivation.

 
Thaw with her gentle persuasion is more powerful than Thor with his hammer. The one melts, the other breaks into pieces. -- Henry David Thoreau

Featured Links
Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict
Educators for Social Responsibility


Other Resources from
Beyond Intractability
Interview With John Paul Lederach
Interview With John Paul Lederach

One of the most captivating peacebuilders of our time talks about his work.

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Medecins Sans Frontieres
Medecins Sans Frontieres

1999 Nobel Peace Laureate; also known as Doctors Without Borders

Beyond Intractability Version IV
Copyright © 2003-2007 The Beyond Intractability Project
Beyond Intractability is a Registered Trademark of the University of Colorado
Project Acknowledgements

The Beyond Intractability Knowledge Base Project
Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess, Co-Directors and Editors
c/o Conflict Information Consortium (Formerly Conflict Research Consortium), University of Colorado
Campus Box 580, Boulder, CO 80309
Phone: (303) 492-1635; Fax: (303) 492-2154; Contact
University of Colorado at Boulder