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Mediator Impartiality: Banishing the Chimera

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  • James D. D. Smith

    (Department of Peace Studies, Bradford University)

Abstract

It has often been said that one major factor determining the success of third party mediation efforts is their perceived impartiality, but the importance of impartiality to successful mediation has recently come into question (Bercovitch et al., 1991; Wehr & Lederach, 1991). This paper attempts to argue that it is nevertheless crucial under certain conditions. It will become clear that there is more than one style of mediation (a fact which is often neglected in comparative studies) and that a failure to distinguish these styles in future will have a severe impact on the validity of any study of mediation effectiveness. On this basis, research in future should be directed first towards distinguishing particular styles of mediation, and second towards studies of their effectiveness. Finally, it will be shown that mediator impartiality may indeed be less important to powered, coercive mediation, but in a non-coercive, private, and voluntary mediation, impartiality is vital to success.

Suggested Citation

  • James D. D. Smith, 1994. "Mediator Impartiality: Banishing the Chimera," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 31(4), pages 445-450, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:joupea:v:31:y:1994:i:4:p:445-450
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    File URL: http://jpr.sagepub.com/content/31/4/445.abstract
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    Cited by:

    1. Alejandro L. Corbacho, 2004. "Prenegotiation and Mediation: the Anglo-Argentine diplomacy after the Falklands/Malvinas War(1983-1989)," CEMA Working Papers: Serie Documentos de Trabajo. 269, Universidad del CEMA.

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