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Rights- based approach
In the rights-based approach, decisions are made by reference to
legal rules. Suchmethods include formally taking
the conflict to a court of law for judgment, or referring it to
an arbitrator who has the power to impose a decision.
Informally, a rights-based approach might consist of arguing for
a favored position because it is my right. In each
case, the conflict is set up so a party either wins or loses the
case, constructing a win-lose situation.
Interest -based approach
With the interest based approach the focus is on both parties
satisfying their joint and individual interests and needs.They
collaborate to produce a win- win situation. This transformative
approach fosters mutual understanding and
empowerment between the parties where the process is more
important than the outcome. (Alam).According to
Interest based negotiation can be distinguished from the
traditional rights-based approach in the following way:
Rights-based Approach Interests-based Approach
Independent Interdependent
Objective is win-lose Objective is mutual gainswin-win
Adopts adversarial method Adopts collaborative method
Result is compromise Result is consensus
Characterized by combativeness Characterized by mutual problem
solving
Debate issues Discuss problems and solve them
Cautious in offers Innovative ideas
Frequent use of threat Explores interests and needs
Proposes limited or single solutions Always keeps options open
to discuss
Engages in conflict Manages conflict
Participants are considered adversaries Focuses on
partnering
Highly positional High focus on interest
Information retracting is seen as a weapon
to win and defeat other
Information disclosure is seen as a basis for
mutual gain
Results in strained relationship Bolsters relationship
Adapted from: U.S. Department of Interior r Bureau of
Reclamation, Conflict Management Guidebook, Chapter 2, p.13
Power- based Approach
In the power-based approach to conflict, a party attempts to
resolve the conflict in its own favor through assertion of
power over the other party. The source of power, and how it is
used, will vary from one context to another. Forexample, it may be
military oreconomic power in international contexts, the power to
hire and fire in organizationalsettings, or physical strength or
emotional coercion in interpersonal conflicts. Violence,
domination, oppression, andexploitation, the abuses mentioned in
our definition of peace psychology, might be seen as abuses of
power overothers. Conflict resolution not only argues specifically
against these abuses but more fundamentally rejects the use ofpower
as an approach to conflict.
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.
Bibliography1. Alam, N. Interplay of interest-based win win
approach in conflict management: a brief look into various
ADR METHODS.
2. Thomas, K. W., & Kilmann, R. H. (March 2, 2010).
Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. CPP, Inc.
3.
Adapted from: U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of
Reclamation, Conflict Management Guidebook,Chapter 2, p.13 (August
1998) (last visited on March 29,2003).
http://www.usbr.gov/hr/conflict/ADR.pdfhttp://www.usbr.gov/hr/conflict/ADR.pdfhttp://www.usbr.gov/hr/conflict/ADR.pdfhttp://www.usbr.gov/hr/conflict/ADR.pdf
