Conflict Resolution Alum Publishes Essay in Foreign Policy in Focus

Doron Pely earned his MA in 2008 from the graduate program in conflict resolution at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies.  He is a contributor to Foreign Policy In Focus, an online publication of the Institute for Policy Studies - dubbed as “Washington’s first progressive multi-issue think tank”.  His latest essay, “Resolving Muslim-Western Disputes”, was posted in late January.

According to Pely, “Western countries are embroiled in armed conflicts with Muslims, Arab nations, and non-state Arab and Muslim groups. To manage or resolve these ongoing disputes, Western disputants -- including Israelis, who define themselves as Western -- should become familiar with the ways Muslims and Arabs customarily manage and resolve disputes. Failure to understand these cultural differences will prolong or exacerbate ongoing conflicts.”

In the essay, he notes the often overlooked role that cultural differences play in the dispute resolution process.  He cites examples from the ongoing dispute between Israel and Turkey as well as the Arab-Israeli dispute.  The essay shares valuable insights on the act of apology and how it reflects on the core concepts of honor and power in Muslin and Western cultures.   He also explores the cultural meanings and implications of revenge and forgiveness in dispute resolution as well as the difficult proposition of direct, face-to-face negotiations that often require the intervention of a third party mediator.

Pely concludes his essay saying, “Of course, many of the root causes of conflicts are similar in the West and in Muslim/Arab cultures. People reacting to a perceived economic, territorial, or cultural wrong done to them personally or to the people or institutions they identify with, be they family, clan, tribe, nation, or co-religionists. “Pragmatists” (English for those coached in and familiar with interest-based Western dispute resolution approaches) tell us that substance is king. They argue that once the disputants agree on substance, the rest falls into place. Those more familiar with Muslim cultures in general and with Muslim dispute resolution in particular, argue that honor, identity, victimhood and forgiveness are equally essential elements, and that until and unless these cross-cultural dispute resolution gaps between Muslim and Westerners are bridged, meaningful, constructive exploration of the substantive issues will not likely occur.”

Currently a PhD candidate at Kings College in London, Pely is the executive director of the Sulha Research Center in Shefar’am, Israel. His research focuses on Muslim dispute resolution.

Resources:

Link to Doron  Pely’s article, “Resolving Muslim-Western Disputes”

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