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TWO How Mediation Works Although mediation is widely practiced in interpersonal, organizational, community, and international disputes, and techniques have been documented in particular applications or cases, there has been little systematic study or description of specific strategies and tactics used by mediators. What analysis and description have been conducted either have been pre- sented on the most general level or are so specific as to limit their broad application. This book addresses the need for a systematic and practi- cal approach to mediation practice. It has three major goals: (1) to illustrate the effects and dynamics of mediation on negotia- tions as a means of dispute resolution, (2) to begin developing a theoretical explanation for the current practice of mediation as it has been applied in a variety of arenas, and (3) to provide practitioners with concrete and effective techniques to assist parties in dispute resolution. With these goals in mind, I will ex- plore mediation and how it relates to negotiated settlements. A Definition of Mediation When a mediator from the United Nations enters an inter- national dispute, a labor mediator is engaged in negotiations prior to a strike, or a family mediator assists a couple in reach- ing adivorce settlement, what activities are they performing? What is their relationship to the parties? What are the objectives of the mediators? 13