Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions

by Allan Edward Barsky

Barsky's hands-on text provides the theory, skills, and exercises that prepare students for an array of conflict situations. It encourages developing professionals to see themselves as reflective practitioners in the roles of negotiators, mediators, advocates, facilitators, and peacebuilders. Students will learn how to analyze conflict situations and develop theory-based strategies that can be used to intervene in an ethical and effective manner. Examples and exercises demonstrate how to apply conflict resolution skills when working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and diverse communities,

364 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mikey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fairly random book I happened to pick up and has since had many other editions. Anyways, it’s clear Barsky put a lot of thought into this as he’s careful to explain the meaning of the cover art and includes a method to give him feedback via mail. I thought this was great, and pretty endearing. He seems like a nice person. I also enjoyed his discussion of decision trees, a topic which I will definitely look more into. Where he lost me however, was when he started going into cultural relativism, social justice, and spirituality. Since this is only the second edition I would imagine that these aspects of the book have become more entrenched as time has gone on. All of this soft on crime “indigenous restorative healing circle” stuff likely has a place in society but should not be given the level of power it is in the process of developing in Canada due to its lack of impartiality, consistency, or deterrence of damaging behaviour. I appreciated that Barsky did give other methods of conflict resolution a fair hearing and noted that they also had their uses, but the level of detail he went into with the “transformative” model and the manner in which he praised it made it clear the direction he expects the audience to be moved in. It’s clear that students are meant to walk away from this feeling like courts and official methods of conflict resolution should be last resorts and that it’s far superior to engage in the idealistic, spiritual, indigenous inspired kumbaya sessions he describes. There’s a time and a place for this with certain conflicts but as soon as you actually deal with bullies, serious offenders, or those with psychopathic/sadistic tendencies for two seconds you realize how probable it is that these touchy feely processes will be taken advantage of. Overall I thought the book was okay and the learning exercises actually seem kind of fun. I just have a strong aversion to the Rousseauian naivety displayed - especially since I’m in a position in the future to look back on this book and see how the “restorative” conflict resolution methods being advocated for are beginning to seriously be put in use and the disastrous effects this is having on community safety.