Potential Mediators Sample Clauses

Potential Mediators. Up to date, most of the scholarly literature on mediation, as a form of third-party intervention, focused its attention on effectiveness (Xxx- xxxxxxx et al. 1991). However, directly related to the argument of effec- tiveness is the debate on the most suitable type of conflict manager to deliver a nonviolent resolution to a dispute. Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx (2006) made a noteworthy contribution in this regard. Their work on Militari- zed Interstate Disputes (MID) was an important effort to parse out the differences in efficiency between three forms of actors acting as media- tors: states, coalitions of states, and multilateral bodies. Their work departs from a historical analysis, which identifies a clear pattern of third party intervention by these three types of actors. As highlighted in their work, traditionally, states were the principal third parties because they were the only actors invested with legitimacy on the international level. In fact while the international system was xxxx- xxxxx by ‘realpolitik’ conceptions of interstate relations, management of conflicts was consigned mainly to the powerful states. However, quite often even the most powerful states were induced to form coalitions with other states, in order to create a more unbiased setting for nego- tiating peace. On the other hand, since the end of the Second World War, non-state actors (notably international organizations, and non-go- vernmental organizations) gradually became essential intermediaries. Following this line of thought Xxxxxxx et al. (1999) indicated a number of recent important developments in international politics that have changed both the content and the nature of international mediati- on. The end of the Cold War has untied (to a certain extent) internati- onal organizations from the preexisting bipolar constraints and allowed them to take on new roles in mediation and conflict management in general. Regional organizations and coalitions of small and medium si- zed powers have also become more active as mediators, facilitators and conflict managers. Even in cases where great powers have intervened due to domestic political pressure or because of threats to their national interests, there is seemingly greater willingness to share the costs of intervention with other international actors. As previously mentioned, given the high risks, costs and resources that mediation implies, motiva- tions for an outside actor to act as a mediator are found in their dome- stic and internati...