Achieving cooperation within multiparty mediation : a case study on bosnian contact group

Abstract

This thesis is exploring conditions that influence movement of mediators towards cooperative behavior, marked by achievement of a joint conflict management strategy and the potential extended applicability of Ripeness Theory (Zartman, 1985) to mediator parties. Using Ripeness Theory-model as main theoretical framework and conducting a case-study analysis of the Bosnian Contact Group, the study concludes that the assumptions of Ripeness Theory are equally useful for understanding cooperation between mediators as they are for warring parties. Finally, building on multiparty mediation characteristics, the study argues for potential application of the Bosnian Contact Group-depicted model to the cooperation process of multiparty mediations.