Why Do They Do It Like This?

Abstract

Studies of international mediation traditionally have focused on the impact and effectiveness of mediation. This study examines mediator behavior and evaluates the factors that influence mediators' behavior and choice of strategies. Three contextual dimensions that exert influence on mediator behavior are preexisting factors (the conflict context and identity of the parties), concurrent factors (the identity of the mediator and actual mediation event), and background factors (the effect of information from previous mediation efforts). An original data set of 295 international conflicts from 1945 to 1995 is used to test a contingency model of mediation behavior. The results of a multivariate analysis suggest that the conditions of the mediation environment and the identity of the parties in conflict are the most significant influences on mediator's choice of strategy.