Publications

Charles Hauss International Conflict Resolution: International Relations for the 21st Century
(New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2001), 244 pages, US$79.95 (cloth), US$24.95 (paper)

This book examines five prominent, protracted conflicts of the twentieth century that are continuing into the twenty-first century: South Africa, Northern Ireland, Israel-Palestine, Bosnia, and Iraq. In each case, the ’’life cycle of a conflict’’ - crisis creation, violence, ending violence, and building peace - is examined in light of both ’’traditional’’ and ’’new theories’’ of international conflict.

In terms of traditional theories, the author - Professor Charles Hauss of George Mason University - outlines the major dominant paradigms in international relations (i.e. realism, democratic peace theory, and pluralism), and compares their premises with what he calls "new theory." Hauss defines ’’new theory’’ as that which is concerned with ’’win-win outcomes’’ and ’’stable peace.’’ He concludes that both ’’traditional’’ and ’’new’’ theoretical approaches are needed to better understand and deal with the complexity of twenty-first century conflicts and especially the five cases covered in his book.

For each case study, Hauss discusses which factors from the ’’traditional’’ and ’’new’’ international relations theories are most relevant in explaining aspects of that particular conflict. By doing so, he not only goes beyond vicious academic debates regarding which theory is the best, but also bestows a more comprehensive theoretical framework for the consideration of each case. This approach is very appropriate and timely especially when the field is debating how and under what conditions various international conflict resolution approaches complement one another. For instance, while discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and efforts towards its resolution, the author provides us with an overview of how traditional conflict resolution approaches were combined with ’’track two diplomacy’’ and ’’reconciliation’’ efforts.

In his case study of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Hauss provides a brief history of the conflict’’s ’’life cycle’’ from the perspective of each side, and outlines a number of important issues in order to address the question of why there was progress and there still are ’’roadblocks’’ before the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These issues are: the changing nature of the structure of the international system, overall weakness of the international community in addressing conflicts, the importance of third parties and the difficulty of finding an effective one, the role of track two diplomacy, the asymmetric nature of the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians, domestic politics and leadership, ’’rejectionist’’ groups and the ’’image of the enemy,’’ and the development of a stronger economy and civil society in the Palestinian state.

Hauss’’ unique addition to the scholarly debate on this conflict is his analysis of the potential for reconciliation efforts between Israelis and Palestinians and what is further needed for their improvement. He dedicates a significant amount of space in this chapter to the evaluation of such efforts and cites the recommendations of some leading Middle East scholars in this field (e.g. Abu Nimer) to make them more rigorous and effective.

In general, the book is a highly useful one especially as a textbook and as a guide for beginners in the field by providing an overview of traditional and contemporary approaches to international conflict. The book is very convenient at this time when there is a need for comprehensive textbooks in the field. The information boxes including highlights related to a side topic and the websites are useful and practical for those who want to pursue further interest in that topic. (Çerag Esra Çuhadar Gürkaynak)

Bulletin of Regional Cooperation in the Middle East Winter 2001-2002
Copyright 2004 Search for Common Ground