The Dynamics of Conflict: A Guide to Engagement and Intervention

by Bernard S. Mayer

The Dynamics of Conflict When it was published in 2000, Bernie Mayer’s The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution quickly became one of the seminal works in the conflict resolution field. The book bridged the gap between abstract theoretical approaches and practical handbooks and became an immensely valuable and accessible resource for experienced and novice practitioners, as well as for professors and students of conflict management who needed a deep yet practical view of conflict and methods for dealing with it. The Dynamics of Conflict is the second edition of Mayer’s classic book. While building on the strengths of the first edition, this thoroughly revised and updated book keeps pace with the most current trends and research in the field and explores four key concepts: interactional dynamics, system dynamics, culture and conflict, and conflict engagement. Like the first edition, the focus of the new edition is on the ways we can productively think about conflict and conflict intervention, rather than on specific techniques and processes. Mayer presents ideas about conflict as a set of conceptual tools that build on one another and contribute to a multifaceted view of conflict and conflict intervention but that also stand on their own. Filled with illustrative examples, the book draws from the author’s thirty years of experience with interpersonal, family, community, organizational, labor management, environmental, public policy, and international disputes and includes instances of conflicts that have been in the news. In addition, this vital resource contains information on the most important work that has been done in the past decade on culture, systems, and conflict engagement and shows how conflict concepts apply to new technologies such as online communication and conflict resolution efforts on the Web. In the concluding chapter Mayer explores how conflict intervention efforts fit into more general values about peace, democracy, and social justice, and the personal impact that conflict work as a field has on conflict specialists.

Genres: Nonfiction, College, School, Grad School, Business

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 20, 2012

Reviews

[Izzy Senechal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read a few chapters of this for grad school, but liked it so much that I finished the entire book!

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was read in its entirety, it was part of my required reading for my masters in Conflict Resolution and Negotiation program. As I learn more about the field, I was left wondering where do I fit in with this field and how do I best grasp the key concepts found in the field. This book helps to answer those questions. It was illuminating and helped to expand my understanding of the field well, hopefully it will refered to in the future to help me find my niche as well as gain insight into what I need to do to be an effective conflict specialist. The author wants this field to grow and to understand the potential we have and does a good survey of bringing to mind all the various ways we can act as conflict preventionists, interveners, and resolvers.

[Ahmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is fascinating and goes into depth while the author is candid about his own imperfections. Read it as required for Conflict Resolution Certification but it was not at all a slog. Probably a bit challenging for people who aren't at least in their last year of undergraduate work. I wish there was an audiobook - I wound up reading it out loud into a recording for my own use so I can more easily review the material as time goes on.

[Shannon Marie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few books for my conflict management degree and for a "textbook" type book this is my favorite so far. I particularly like the way mediation is explained and how he covers all types of intervention.

[Khazam · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is too lengthy and fails to address the topic or deliver what it promised. Paragraphs are rephrased over and over again, and important information is neither highlighted nor emphasized — if there is any, I couldn’t find it. I don’t recommend this book; study with ChatGPT instead.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a class! Very interesting and informative look at conflict.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was used for a conflict resolution course I took. The book is good, with clear information about conflict resolution. For a course book, it was good.

[Sunny Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was assigned reading for ab psychology class at Walden University. The instructor required us to read chapters 1 through 5, and chapters 8 & 10. Although the information in the book was good it was hard for me to read. The scenarios described reminded me of problems I am experiencing with my ex, so I would be distracted by thoughts of that and had trouble finishing the reading because I was upset. Ultimately a good book full of useful information.

[April Griffin Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Enjoyed this book!

This book is very good, it has a good bit of useful information. Glad it was something required to read!