The Five Stages of the Negotiation Process in Diplomacy

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Diplomacy has a variety of definitions which depending on the user perspectives on the term “diplomacy”. In the context of international relations, diplomacy is the negotiator’s ability in conducting negotiations between the representatives of nation states in a peaceful manner. The essential of negotiation is to resolve a conflict without offending others. According to Iragorri (2003), an effective negotiation is being able to achieve mutual agreement by peaceful means. The process of a negotiation in diplomacy goes through five important stages that is preparation, discussion, proposing, bargaining and settling process (refer to Figure 1 in Appendix 1).

The first stage of the negotiation is preparation. It is the fundamental process of negotiation. The purpose of preparation is to identify the opposing interests and priorities on the issue addressed (Ya’akub, 2014). The negotiator must have the information and knowledge of factual facts regarding the issue discussed. In addition, it is also to ensure that the negotiator be knowledgeable about the relevant information of the matter addressed. During this stage, the preparation includes the outlining of both sides negotiator interests for the purpose of identifying common interests among them (Ya’akub, 2014). It is important in order to ensure that mutual agreement will be achieved. This is because both sides of negotiator will have different interest in the same issue that will be addressed. Other than that, the preparation also includes the preparation for alternative options in case the initial options are rejected. As for this reason, the outcome of the negotiation is depending on how well does the negotiator being prepared for any possible change of plan. Moreover, the negot...

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...is act as a guideline for the negotiators. This is because negotiation is part of problem-solving method. Basically, negotiation is used to resolve a conflict or argument without offending others. In addition, it is done by peaceful manners. Nevertheless, negotiation in diplomacy is not only limits within the context of international relations, but, it also can be applied in our daily life communication with one another.

Works Cited

Iraggori, A. G. (2003). Negotiation in international relations. Revista De Derecho, 19, 91-102.

Jeremy, G. T. (1989). How to negotiate better deals. London, UK: Gold Arrow Publication Ltd.

Lewicki, R. J., Saunders, D. M., & Barry, B. (2011). Essential of negotiation (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Ya’akub, A. N. (2014). Negotiation. [PowerPoint slides]. Faculty of Social Sciences. University of Malaysia Sarawak.

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