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Photo of Karin Aggestam

Karin Aggestam

Professor, Director, MECW Scientific Coordinator

Photo of Karin Aggestam

Peace mediation and the minefield of international recognition games

Author

  • Karin Aggestam

Summary, in English

This article analyzes the intricate dynamics between international mediation and the quest for recognition in protracted conflict. The overarching aim is two-fold: to analyze how the struggle for recognition relates to protracted conflict, and why, when and in what ways recognition poses a barrier to efficient peace diplomacy and mediation. The article explores how preferences and interests are infused with identity politics and claims for recognition. It advances three inter-related dimensions of recognition: ontological security, dignity and identity. The conceptual discussion utilizes empirical illustrations from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Three concluding remarks are made. First, international mediation may be accepted by negotiating parties to achieve international recognition rather than to reach an agreement. Second, due to the problem of recognition the notion of “ending conflict” can backfire in the mediation process. Third, mediators should focus on mutual, but thin recognition towards greater acknowledgement of the untenable and vulnerable positions the parties hold in conflict.

Department/s

  • Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES)
  • MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World
  • Department of Political Science
  • Middle Eastern Studies

Publishing year

2015

Language

English

Pages

494-514

Publication/Series

International Negotiation

Volume

20

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Brill

Topic

  • Political Science (excluding Public Administration Studies and Globalization Studies)

Keywords

  • Israeli-Palestinian conflict
  • dignity
  • identity
  • peace
  • recognition
  • mediation
  • Middle East
  • ontological security

Status

Published

Project

  • Lund Human Rights Research Hub
  • Exploring peace gaps in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Research group

  • Freds- och konfliktforskning
  • Förhandlingar
  • Middle East politics

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1382-340X