The Mediating Future

Drawing from the development of mediating processes in North America and Central and Eastern Europe, this article focuses on the need to apply new mediating modalities to conflicts that have a transnational and multinational character. Not only democracies but also authoritarian governments are increasingly finding the need to mediate in the international arena over human rights, environmental degradation, economic competition, and like concerns. While international issues have traditionally been settled through power, new forms of social justice will increasingly be required to resolve issues not amenable exclusively to power-based solutions. The future will witness a new effort to promote justice, fairness, and cultural sensitivity in the resolution of international differences. Currently, there is a paucity of mechanisms to advance social justice in the international domain. The lack of a global political federation with the power to require participation and compliance with the settlement of differences means that mediating processes will increasingly be used to address the needs and interests expressed by nations, diverse groups, and institutions.