Resolving through Power

Power-based approaches to conflict can be summed up with the following adage: “Might makes right.” Power is the ability to influence another person. In the scenario earlier in this chapter, Dana could kick the dog and thus exert her superior physical power to put the dog in his place. However, other affected parties also could exert their power. The couple’s son may be stronger than Dana and have a physical power advantage. Conversely, Dana’s grandmother might be quite wealthy-giving Dana monetary power to obtain a better attorney than the Klimes could afford. If Mary Klimes were the former prosecuting attor­ ney for the city, her power resources could trump those of the others, as networking and influence are very potent resources.

The power approach to conflict resolution is used widely. War, violence, and revenge are extreme examples of the power system. The consequences of the use of power may be highly detrimental to relationships (between individuals, businesses, or countries). Reliance on power to “win” leads to distrust and what Johan Galtung calls nega­ tive peace: peace resulting from forced submission rather than from a change of heart. As illustrated in international conflicts, such negative peace rarely is long lasting. There is some evidence that people who “lose” in disputes may resort to retaliation, sometimes manifested on college campuses through vandalism or theft. In Chapter 7, we will discuss how power comes into play during a mediation session and what a media­ tor can do to “balance” power for the disputants.

Power, however, can be appropriate in some circumstances. As a parent, it may be nec­ essary to use physical power to control a two-year-old running toward a busy street. The act of forcing, or in this case grabbing the child and removing her from danger, is an act of power. However, reliance on power as a sole source for resolving conflicts would create a tumultuous society, one with people of low power being trampled by those in high power. Fortunately, humans have created other alternatives.