	International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict
	Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA

Conciliatory Victory

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Conciliatory Victory

Conciliatory victory offers a relatively simple strategy for dealing with the "gloating victor" problem. All it requires is that victorious parties do what they can to assure defeated parties that they are still valued members of the community and that they can look forward to a future in which their legitimate interests will be protected. It is also important to assure losers that they will not be socially ostracized.

Often those involved in destructive conflicts develop unrealistic and exaggerated fears regarding the consequences of defeat. Conciliatory actions can do much to reduce these fears and thereby reduce the likelihood and severity of future disputes.


Links to Examples

Raymond Cohen--Negotiating Across Cultures: Communication Obstacles in International Diplomacy (Symbolic Acts)
This article illustrates how substantially insignificant concessions can be critical to reaching agreements.
Neil J. Kritz -- The Dilemmas of Transitional Justice: This article points out the problems with "victor's justice," in the transition to more democratic regimes. A conciliatory approach is often a better approach over the long term, as it upholds the values of due process and democracy which the new regime is trying to establish.

Links to Related Approaches

Face Saving

Links to Related Problems

Refusal to Negotiate

Sacrifice Trap

International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict

Conciliatory Victory