The Promise of Mediation: The Transformative Approach to Conflict / Edition 2

by Robert A. Baruch Bush, Joseph P. Folger

Overview

The award-winning first edition of The Promise of Mediation, published ten years ago, is a landmark classic that changed the field's understanding of the theory and practice of conflict intervention. That volume first articulated the "transformative model" of mediation, which greatly humanized the vision of how the mediation process could help parties in conflict. In the past decade, the transformative model has proved itself and gained increasing acceptance. It is now being used in such diverse arenas as workplace, community, family, organizational, and public policy conflicts, among others.

In this new edition, the authors draw on a decade of work in theory development, training, practice, research, and assessment to present a thoroughly revised and updated account of the transformative model of mediation and its practical application, including

• a compelling description of how the field has moved toward increasing acceptance of the transformative model
• a new and clearer presentation of the theory and practices of transformative mediation, with many concrete examples
• a new case study that provides a vivid picture of the model in practice, with a commentary full of new information about how to use it effectively
• clarifications of common misconceptions about the model
• a vision for the future that shows how the model can coexist with other approaches and where the "market" for transformative mediation is emerging

This volume is a foundational resource on transformative practice, for both readers of the first edition and new readers - including mediators, facilitators, lawyers, administrators, human resource professionals, policymakers, and conflict resolution researchers and educators. More generally, this book will strike a chord with anyone interested in humanizing our social institutions and building on a relational vision of society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787974831
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	10/25/2004
Edition description:	Revised Edition
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

THE AUTHORS

Robert A. Baruch Bush and Joseph P. Folger are the acknowledged originators of the transformative model of mediation and its best-known exponents. They are cofounders of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation. Bush is the Rains Distinguished Professor of Alternative Dispute Resolution Law at Hofstra University School of Law. He has authored more than two dozen articles and books on mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Folger is professor of adult and organizational development at Temple University. He has published extensively on mediation and conflict and is coauthor of the award-winning text Working Through Conflict: Strategies for Relationships, Groups and Organizations.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

1. The Mediation Field: An Overview and Four Stories.

2. A Transformative View of Conflict and Mediation.

3. Gaining Sight of the Goal of Transformation.

4. Putting Transformative Theory into Practice: The “Purple House” Mediation, with Commentary—Part One.

5. Putting Transformative Theory into Practice: The “Purple House” Mediation, with Commentary—Part Two.

6. Myths and Misconceptions About Transformative Mediation.

7. Paths Toward the Future: Living with Differences in Values and Practice.

References.

About the Authors.

Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“The Promise of Mediation has been the single mostsignificant influence on the modern ADR movement. This brilliantwork serves as a constant reminder that mediation is about morethan settling cases. Any serious student of the mediation processwould be enlightened by the imaginative approach taken by theauthors, and this new edition adds a wealth of new detail andsubstance about the approach, drawn from a decade’sexperience applying it in many different contexts.”
—James Alfini, president and dean, South Texas College of Law,Houston, Texas

“The Promise of Mediation provides a road map formediating workplace disputes in corporate America. Rather thanpushing parties to settle, transformative mediation provides aprocess for employees to really work through theirdifferences—so they can move forward with a positive outlookand get back to business productively. I saw firsthand howtransformative mediation improved the workplace culture at theUnited States Postal Service, and I have no doubt that itspotential for impact on corporate America is significant. Amust-read for human resource professionals, corporate counsel, andall managers committed to improving the workplace through buildinggreater understanding between employees.”
—Cynthia J. Hallberlin, founder of REDRESS Mediation Program andformer ADR Counsel of the United States Postal Service

“Bush and Folger have once again provided the field with abook that inspires and challenges us to reconnect with the reasonmany of us became involved with mediation in the first place. Inthe ten years since Bush and Folger wrote The Promise ofMediation, they have gained experience and grown in clarityregarding transformative mediation, and they skillfully share thisthrough the second edition. It is clear that transformativemediation is here to stay and that it will continue to have aprofound and enriching impact on the field.”
—Sharon Press, director, Florida Dispute Resolution Center, andformer president, SPIDR

“In recent years, we have witnessed the erosion of thecore values of mediation in favor of service to the forces ofprofessionalism and legalism. The first edition of The Promiseof Mediation served as a stunning reminder of the potential ofmediation to empower individuals and communities in conflict. Icredit Bush and Folger with reminding the field of its core values.Since the first edition, they have worked tirelessly to support thedevelopment of a practice congruent with these values. I believethat their efforts have produced a new model of mediation, one thatprovides a unique role for the mediator—especially thecommunity ‘citizen mediator.’ When we use thetransformative model, we’re offering a form of help that noone else in society is offering to our fellowcitizens.”
—Thomas Wahlrab, member, board of directors, National Associationfor Community Mediation, and coordinator, Dayton (Ohio) MediationCenter

"Being human is what human beings do. Yet our approaches toconflict analysis and resolution often dehumanize conflicts, bymarginalizing emotions and avoiding discussion of painfulhistories. In this book, Bush and Folger help us re-imaginemediation within a relational framework where emotions and painfulhistories are essential features of the conflict transformationprocess. This framework not only focuses on the connection betweenpeople, but alos favors reflection on the parties' experiences, ashuman being. And by implication, mediators, as human beings, areencouraged to trust the parties in terms of their ability to movethrough the problems. Conflict is thus reframed as a contributionto the development of interaction, reather than a feature of lifethat needs 'management.' While this book contributes to ourunderstanding of a model of mediation, it also humainzes conflict,and in the process celebrates what it means to be a humanbeing."
—Sara Cobb, director, Institute for Conflict Analysis andResolution, George Mason University

Editorial Reviews

"I recommend this book as it provokes creative thought, encompasses positive aspirational goals and broadens the perspective of practicing mediators." (IAM Mediation Newsletter; 12/1/2004)

From the Publisher