The Role of Negotiation in the World’s Politics
By Artur Talpa
Why do global political relations require constant negotiations?
The world develops constantly, and new geopolitical strategies bring a plethora of diplomatic, economic, and social challenges. Therefore, there is a constant need for balancing and evaluating all the interests and views of political leaders in the international arena. Nowadays, international law plays a significant role in regulating countries’ worldwide conduct. Its role consists in promoting justice, prosperity, and peace all around the world. To facilitate this process, bilateral and multilateral negotiations are launched. These productive conversations certainly have the power to generate feasible solutions to mondial difficulties.
The famous author Leo Tolstoy said: “Every thought expressed in words is a force whose action is infinite.”
Diplomacy is the art, by which nations safeguard their interests and achieve their objectives short of military conflict, using a mixture of persuasion and compromise.[1] International diplomatic relations are constructed on techniques of negotiation and mediation between countries. Most philosophers have discovered that efficient interaction with each other can prevent a lot of difficulties from appearing. Thereby, it is significant to understand and appreciate the word’s power in dealing with global conflicts. Political leaders have different positions in relation to distinct topics on the multinational agenda. Thus, it is extremely difficult to alienate all possible views into one direction of development. Notwithstanding, the negotiation tool allows countries to agree on several issues of international importance. That is why, it is essential to grasp the importance of speaking and listening today, trying to solve the planet’s pertinent issues through calm and open-minded talks.
History of Negotiations in International Relations
International negotiations have been intensively developed since the second half of the 20th century, becoming a significant tool in solving transborder problems.[2] Previous historical events and incidents have taught society that it is necessary to permanently protect our planet from any irreparable mistakes in political, military, and societal realms. The negotiation process plays a crucial role in solving disputes and achieving common ground in global matters by presenting one’s arguments in a peaceful atmosphere. However, with the progress in the spheres of diplomatic relations and negotiation techniques between countries, society still witnesses a plethora of armed conflicts around the world. Therefore, it is logical to pose a question: “Why do we see so many divergences between states, if the majority of conflicts and misunderstandings can be resolved through negotiation?” Unfortunately, the answer to this question does not relate to the increasing or decreasing role of international negotiations in the world, but to their qualitative characteristics, which are determined, among other things, by the importance of the negotiating resource (negotiation as a lucrative solution) in solving global problems as opposed to military and economic resources.[3]
What are the components of a successful negotiation?
Expanding on the current topic, it is critical to mention that international negotiations require, on the one hand, lore and expertise from various fields (including history, law, economics, political science, and psychology) and on the other hand, communication skills and abilities.[4] These experiences and capabilities permit parties to a dispute in a global environment to be able to look at the existing crisis with distinct perspectives and try to elaborate innovative and economically feasible solutions. Soviet politology and specialist in international relations Viktor Sergeyev mentioned: “The natural way of integrating individual minds, from which one would expect success, is to try to integrate the knowledge contained in it about the world”.[5]
Having discussed the extrinsic characteristics and elements of negotiation, let us dive into the intrinsic principles governing all-encompassing interactions between countries. A successful negotiation process stands on three main pillars: trust, respect, and willingness to cooperate. These fundamental concepts represent the strongest formula for a lucrative collaboration between states on the global stage. Firstly, trust-building is a crucial procedure in international relations discipline, because, without confidence in a mutually positive relationship, states cannot be open to negotiations. Secondly, a respectful attitude in an intercontinental environment entails true consideration towards the other country’s interests, culture, and aspirations. Thirdly, and most importantly in a political context, the parties’ willingness to cooperate and achieve common goals determines the subsequent outcome of the relationship. Taking into account these principles of dealing with partners, countries can achieve their goals pacifically and without any reputational losses.
The recipe of an efficacious dialogue between nations consists in discovering their interests (reasons behind their positions), because only in this way can they create common value between themselves and agree on something advantageous for both.[6] The negotiation process is all about strategic thinking and deliberation, as it allows parties to become fully aware of their personal wishes, but also points on which they would be ready to step back when it is required. There are different techniques and strategies in a negotiation process, however, one thing is accurate: conversing permanently only about a partner's political and geopolitical positions represents trampling on the spot and a waste of precious time.
Asking ‘WHY’ - we will know ‘HOW’!
“Conflict is good in a negotiation process... it’s the clash of two ideas, which then, all being well, produces a third idea.”
Luke Roberts
[1] Charles E. Ziegler, ‘Russian Diplomacy: Challenging the West’ [2018] The Whitehead Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations 74.
[2] Marina Lebedeva ‘International Negotiations as a Social and Humanitarian Resource in World Politics’ [2020] Political Science (RU) J 98.
[3] Marina Lebedeva ‘International Negotiations as a Social and Humanitarian Resource in World Politics’ [2020] Political Science (RU) J 100.
[4] Marina Lebedeva ‘International Negotiations as a Social and Humanitarian Resource in World Politics’ [2020] Political Science (RU) J 99.
[5] Viktor Sergeyev, Democracy as a Negotiation Process, (1st ed, Moscow Public Science Foundation 1999) 5.
[6] Roger Fischer and William Ury, Getting to Yes, (1st edn, Houghton Mifflin 1981).