Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xv

1 The Art of Conflict 1

2 Competition and Cooperation 25

3 Optimism and Realism 61

4 Avoidance and Engagement 95

5 Principle and Compromise 131

6 Emotions and Logic 167

7 Neutrality and Advocacy 201

8 Community and Autonomy 237

9 The Conflict Dialectic: Better Paradoxes, Better Conflict 267

References 295

Index 307

About the Author

BERNARD MAYER, PHD, is an internationallyrecognized leader in the field of conflict intervention. He isProfessor of Dispute Resolution at The Werner Institute atCreighton University and was a founding partner of CDR Associates,an internationally acclaimed conflict intervention and trainingfirm. His background spans family mediation, public and privatesector consultation, environmental decision making, organizationalconflict, and international mediation. His previous books includeBeyond Neutrality, Staying with Conflict, and TheDynamics of Conflict.

Reviews

"In his new book, The Conflict Paradox: Seven Dilemmas at the Core of Disputes (2015, Jossey-Bass), Bernie Mayer explores the mystery of this complexity in the context of conflict engagement. It is an enjoyable and fascinating read for everyone involved in negotiation, mediation or any form of conflict engagement."
—Kari Boyle, Slaw