Beyond Neutrality

In this thought-provoking, passionately written book, Bernard Mayer—an internationally acclaimed leader in the field—dares practitioners to ask the hard questions about alternative dispute resolution. What’s wrong with conflict resolution? Why aren’t more individuals and organizations using conflict resolution when they have a problem? Why doesn’t the public know more about it? What are the limits of conflict resolution? When does conflict resolution work and when does it not?  Offering a committed practitioner’s critique of the profession of mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution, Beyond Neutrality focuses on the current crisis in the field of conflict resolution and offers a pragmatic response.

Preface. Part One: The Crisis. 1. Conflict Resolution: A Field in Crisis. 2. The Resistance to Conflict Resolution. 3. The Use (and Misuse) of Mediation. 4. Ten Beliefs That Get in Our Way. 5. Conflict Resolution and Society. Part Two: From Resolution to Engagement. 6. The Power of Engagement. 7. The Conflict Specialist. 8. Embracing Advocacy. 9. Redefining Conflict Resolution. References. About the Author. Index.