Journal article
Bias and balance in civil war mediation
Journal of peace research, Vol.61(4), pp.627-642
05/03/2023
DOI: 10.1177/00223433231156959
Abstract
This article identifies a mechanism through which multiparty mediation – mediation with multiple active third parties – has positive effects on civil war resolution. Balanced mediation efforts – those providing third parties biased toward both sides of the dispute – have unique advantages in generating peaceful outcomes. In particular, balanced efforts alleviate the commitment concerns faced by both the rebel group and the government, improving the prospects for peace. In this article, I develop a measure, Mediation balance, which aggregates the mediators’ biases when multiple third parties are present. I also consider, both theoretically and empirically, how the number of mediators interacts with mediation balance to shape outcomes. I test my theory on civil war mediation attempts between 1989 and 2005, finding that balanced mediation efforts improve the probability of reaching an agreement. Furthermore, the strength of this effect is influenced by the number of mediators involved. Mediation balance also influences the probability the agreement halts the violence, albeit in unexpected ways.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Bias and balance in civil war mediation
- Creators
- Elizabeth J Menninga - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of peace research, Vol.61(4), pp.627-642
- DOI
- 10.1177/00223433231156959
- ISSN
- 0022-3433
- eISSN
- 1460-3578
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 05/03/2023
- Academic Unit
- International Programs; Center for Social Science Innovation; Political Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984400756702771
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