Conflict Resolution in Asia

Mediation and Other Cultural Models

Edited by Stephanie P. Stobbe - Foreword by Paul Redekop - Contributions by Nadja Alexander; Dale Bagshaw Ph.D; Bruce E. Barnes; Charles W. Crumpton; Joel Lee; Eko Yi Liao; Federico V. Magdalena; Geetha Ravindra; Stephanie P. Stobbe; Fatahillah A. Syukur; Vanchai Vatanasapt and Cheryl Qianru Zhang

Conflict Resolution in Asia: Mediation and Other Cultural Models is an exploration of human interaction, conflict, and conflict resolution in the incredibly diverse region that consists of South, East, and Southeast Asia. It examines how traditional, indigenous, and culturally based conflict resolution processes interact with more formal legal systems to build infrastructures that address conflicts at the interpersonal to international levels in ways that maintain social harmony. This book provides insight into situations where unique cultures come together to create a larger cultural identity, and how constructive and appropriate conflict resolution systems can work every day to establish positive relationships and overall peace in these complex communities. It demonstrates the importance of culture in addressing conflict and conflict resolution, and validates the significance of culturally appropriate processes in building and sustaining peace.

From Southeast Asia, a survey of Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam highlights their rich cultures and conflict resolution processes. From East Asia, Mainland China and Hong Kong show the history of traditional models and the incorporation of mediation within a more formal legal system. Finally, a section on South Asia examines customary methods of dispute resolution working alongside a judiciary structure in India. These nine countries represent very different cultural groups with complex national histories, and varying degrees of influence from Western powers. Using select Asian nations as case studies of conflict resolution systems, this edited book examines the power of mediation and other cultural conflict resolution models as a tool for addressing conflicts and social justice.

Lexington Books

Pages: 284 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4985-6643-8 • Hardback • March 2018 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-4985-6645-2 • Paperback • July 2020 • $47.99 • (£37.00)

978-1-4985-6644-5 • eBook • July 2020 • $45.50 • (£35.00)

Series: Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in Asia

Subjects: Political Science / World / Asian, Political Science / International Relations / General, Political Science / Peace, Social Science / World / Asia, Political Science / Country and Regional Studies

Conflict Resolution in Asia

Mediation and Other Cultural Models

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Conflict Resolution in Asia: Mediation and Other Cultural Models is an exploration of human interaction, conflict, and conflict resolution in the incredibly diverse region that consists of South, East, and Southeast Asia. It examines how traditional, indigenous, and culturally based conflict resolution processes interact with more formal legal systems to build infrastructures that address conflicts at the interpersonal to international levels in ways that maintain social harmony. This book provides insight into situations where unique cultures come together to create a larger cultural identity, and how constructive and appropriate conflict resolution systems can work every day to establish positive relationships and overall peace in these complex communities. It demonstrates the importance of culture in addressing conflict and conflict resolution, and validates the significance of culturally appropriate processes in building and sustaining peace.

From Southeast Asia, a survey of Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam highlights their rich cultures and conflict resolution processes. From East Asia, Mainland China and Hong Kong show the history of traditional models and the incorporation of mediation within a more formal legal system. Finally, a section on South Asia examines customary methods of dispute resolution working alongside a judiciary structure in India. These nine countries represent very different cultural groups with complex national histories, and varying degrees of influence from Western powers. Using select Asian nations as case studies of conflict resolution systems, this edited book examines the power of mediation and other cultural conflict resolution models as a tool for addressing conflicts and social justice.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 284 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4985-6643-8 • Hardback • March 2018 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-4985-6645-2 • Paperback • July 2020 • $47.99 • (£37.00)

978-1-4985-6644-5 • eBook • July 2020 • $45.50 • (£35.00)

Series: Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in Asia

Subjects: Political Science / World / Asian, Political Science / International Relations / General, Political Science / Peace, Social Science / World / Asia, Political Science / Country and Regional Studies

Author

Stephanie P. Stobbe is associate professor of conflict resolution studies at Menno Simons College (a College of CMU) at the University of Winnipeg.

Table of Contents

Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction: Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in Asia: The Need for Mediation and Other Culturally Appropriate Models, Stephanie P. Stobbe
Part II: Southeast Asia
Chapter 2: Indonesia: The Role of the Traditional, Indigenous Musyawarah Mufakat Process of Mediation, Dale Bagshaw and Fatahillah A. Syukur
Chapter 3: Laos: Op-Lom: The Language of Conflict Resolution and Neoy Gai Geer Mediation Models, Stephanie P. Stobbe
Chapter 4: Philippines: Traditional Peacemaking Processes among Indigenous Populations in the Northern and Southern Philippines, Bruce E. Barnes and Federico V. Magdalena
Chapter 5: Thailand: Thai Cultural Values and the Role of Third Parties in Addressing Conflicts,
Vanchai Vatanasapt and Stephanie P. Stobbe
Chapter 6: Singapore: Cultural Influences in the Historical and Institutional Development of Mediation in Singapore, Joel Lee
Chapter 7: Vietnam: Culturally and Legally Appropriate Mediation for Dispute Resolution, Charles W. Crumpton
Part III: East Asia
Chapter 8: China (Mainland): The Gong Hui Mediation Committee, Ju Wei Hui Neighborhood Committee, He Shi Lao Peacemaker, and Other Cultural Models of Conflict Resolution, Eko Yi Liao and Cheryl Qianru Zhang
Chapter 9: Hong Kong: Mediation and the Future of Dispute Resolution, Nadja Alexander
Part IV: South Asia
Chapter 10: India: Panchayat Mediation and Lok Adalat People’s Court Conciliation, and the Institutionalization of ADR, Geetha Ravindra
Part V: Conclusion
Conclusion: Common principles and practices found in Mediation and Other Cultural Models of Conflict Resolution in Asia and the Future of Mediation and Cultural Practices of Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding, Stephanie P. Stobbe

Reviews

This book reflects a creative time for conflict resolution in Asia, with examples and lessons of value for the rest of the world. This all invites continued study in coming years.

— Peace Review: A Journal of Justice Studies

[A] timely and important work. . . . Each chapter offers a significant contribution, but it is in the grand sweep of the work as a whole where the greatest value can be found. . . . In its breadth and quality the work has opened the door for a range of studies that hopefully not only push our awareness of the myriad ways that conflict is resolved, but will also make decisive steps in how peace and conflict studies specifically, and political science more generally, understands these practices. Stobbe and her contributors are to be congratulated on providing such a decisive step towards these ends.
— Pacific Affairs

This collection of research on mediation and conflict practices in Asia is a significant contribution to scholarship that de-centers Western approaches and models. The cultural and regional knowledge systems and practices of Asia are needed to develop the human potential for building local and global peace. This fascinating and rich body of scholarship draws attention to how societies negotiate traditional, national, and global structures in their systems for addressing conflict.
— Jessica Senehi, University of Manitoba

This collection is a very welcome addition to the literature on conflict resolution. With careful description and thoughtful analysis of material drawn from nine Asian societies, Stephanie P. Stobbe and her contributors demonstrate the diversity of approaches to managing conflict in this huge region, some indigenous and some not. The many strengths of this volume include its grounding in local realities, hence making clear that introduced Western methods often fit local Asian contexts very badly. This is not merely a result of imposing insufficiently tweaked processes and rules, but rather a failure to recognize the cultural assumptions inevitably built into all methods of conflict management. All those interested in conflict resolution theory and/or practice should find this very interesting book highly rewarding.
— Peter Black, George Mason University

Conflict Resolution in Asia: Mediation and Other Cultural Models provides valuable insights into building peace and practicing non-colonial problem solving in the diverse continent of Asia from indigenous perspectives. It furthers multilateral understanding and appreciation for sustainability of grassroots mediation and innovative ADR.
— Honggang Yang, Nova Southeastern University

As former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, I have been involved for several decades in mediation and conflict resolution efforts developed in a Western context. Where mediation has not succeeded, failure to understand traditional conflict resolution processes in these societies is an important element. This volume offers an opportunity to learn lessons from Asia where the rich cultural and historical context provides a different framework for understanding the role of mediation in conflict resolution. Only by learning lessons in both a Western and Asian context can we develop new mediation approaches to resolve conflicts in the twenty-first century.
— Richard D. Kauzlarich, George Mason University