International Negotiation in a Complex World

Reviews / Votes

As international negotiations proliferate, so too does the need to understand their context, structure and process. This book provides a useful account of the myriad challenges facing negotiators today, addressing the changes in technology, actors and agendas. . . .The book's value is in its easily accessible approach to explaining negotiations using a range of real-world examples. The authors aim not only to explain the processes, but also to provide a tool in the teaching and practice of negotiations. . . .The book is therefore of interest to those teaching and learning about the complexities involved in the 'give-and-take' processes of international negotiations. * South African Journal of International Affairs * This excellent text introduces students to the basic concepts, structures, processes, and outcomes involved in international negotiations in the complex global environment in which we live. The authors do an excellent job of presenting the basic components of international negotiation theory in a clear and engaging fashion, while also drawing on the latest scholarly research in a user-friendly manner. One comes away recognizing that negotiated agreements require a mutual ability to forego the optimal for mutually satisfactory terms that meet the fundamental needs and interests of all negotiating parties. Therefore, compromise and creative invention of mutually beneficial formulas that transcend conflicting interests are required in order to achieve joint benefits; achieving these outcomes requires patience, creativity, and a lot of hard work. This text is thus of value for both students approaching the subject for the first time as well as for experienced practitioners who may gain new insights into strategies for negotiating better, fairer, and more durable international agreements on some of the most complex but important issues of our time. -- P. Terrence Hopmann, Johns Hopkins University, SAIS By adopting a gameboard analogy and drawing on a wide range of recent case examples woven throughout the text, International Negotiation in a Complex World provides an approachable yet rich coverage of negotiation processes. The authors present a clear structural framework for discussing negotiations, incorporating a broad range of applicable literature. This text would fit very well into classes covering negotiation topics ranging from the environment and development to conflict and post-conflict issues. -- Carolyn Shaw, Wichita State University