Conflict and power

Abstract

Several years ago, one of us attended a meeting hosted by a prominent personality, who was also one of the pioneers of conflict resolution. We had been called together to decide how to respond to disciplinary action that a nearby university had brought against one of its students. The student was being punished for demonstrating against a university policy that supported U.S. government repression and threats to the peace abroad. We wanted to mount some protest against the student's impending punishment when it was suggested that we consider another way of righting this injustice. To explain how, our host gave us a long description of how the principles of conflict resolution could provide a solution. Despite the impressive presentation, several of us were skeptical. We did not understand why the university would feel compelled to drop its punishment. And so one of us asked: “Why do you assume the university will listen to us? What happens if it does not?” To this, our host raised himself up and said: “Well, I have a lot of visibility and clout in this city, and the university knows it. If they do not respond, then I'll call a press conference, and blow them out of the water!”

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