Joshua Weiss - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Joshua Weiss

Peace & Change, Jun 17, 2011

We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their cons... more We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their constituents to either support or oppose the agreement. It is our argument that a ''sales'' message that is based on tenets of prospect theory-framing the preferred choice as less risky than the alternative-will garner more initial support for an agreement and, more importantly, will insulate a peace process to some extent from failures in implementation. For this paper, we ask a series of three questions designed to determine how leaders from both sides frame the peace agreement reached, how they describe the implementation of that agreement and its costs and benefits. Our analysis used 170 documents detailing statements by political party leaders and spokespeople, finding that supporters attempted to frame the agreement largely in aspirational terms toward a better future but failed to frame the agreement as a better alternative to continued or renewed conflict.

This paper uses Kahneman & Tversky\u27s prospect theory to analyze how leaders and opponents ... more This paper uses Kahneman & Tversky\u27s prospect theory to analyze how leaders and opponents attempt to frame and \u27sell\u27 peace agreements to their constituents using the Good Friday and Oslo Agreements as case studies

Peace & Change, 2011

We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their cons... more We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their constituents to either support or oppose the agreement. It is our argument that a ''sales'' message that is based on tenets of prospect theory-framing the preferred choice as less risky than the alternative-will garner more initial support for an agreement and, more importantly, will insulate a peace process to some extent from failures in implementation. For this paper, we ask a series of three questions designed to determine how leaders from both sides frame the peace agreement reached, how they describe the implementation of that agreement and its costs and benefits. Our analysis used 170 documents detailing statements by political party leaders and spokespeople, finding that supporters attempted to frame the agreement largely in aspirational terms toward a better future but failed to frame the agreement as a better alternative to continued or renewed conflict.

In the face of daunting barriers, the Abraham Path Initiative envisions uncovering and revitalizi... more In the face of daunting barriers, the Abraham Path Initiative envisions uncovering and revitalizing a route of cultural tourism that follows the path of Abraham and his family some 4000 years ago across the Middle East. It begins in the ancient ruins of Harran, in modern-day Turkey, where Abraham first heard the call to "go forth." It passes through some of the world’s most revered cultural, historical, and holy sites, ending in the city of Hebron/Al-Khalil at the tomb of Abraham. With Abraham as a venerated patriarchal figure for Islam, Judaism, and Christianity—monotheistic religions whose adherents have so often clashed--the potential unifying power of this conception has attracted a remarkable range of supporters from around the world. From a notion crystallized at Harvard in 2004, this idea has been carefully negotiated into a concrete reality with supporting country organizations in Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. If completed, it would eventually exten...

Working papers are in draft form. This working paper is distributed for purposes of comment and d... more Working papers are in draft form. This working paper is distributed for purposes of comment and discussion only. It may not be reproduced without permission of the copyright holder. Copies of working papers are available from the author.

Negotiation Journal, 2015

Persuasion is undoubtedly a critical negotiation skill. But while the literature has examined its... more Persuasion is undoubtedly a critical negotiation skill. But while the literature has examined its role in negotiation, few, if any, scholars or practitioners have offered a clear strategic framework for putting persuasion into negotiation practice. The ethos, pathos, and logos modes of persuasion elucidated by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C.E. provide a clear, understandable, and easy-to-apply framework that students and trainees can use to prepare for negotiation, to deploy during the negotiation process, and to conduct debriefings following a negotiation. In this article, I describe how to apply this Aristotelian framework and explain an additional dimension of persuasion in negotiation that I believe is also critical: timing. Through the real-world example of Anwar Sadat and his trip to Jerusalem, I demonstrate how this framework has worked in practice.

Peace & Change, 2011

We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their cons... more We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their constituents to either support or oppose the agreement. It is our argument that a ''sales'' message that is based on tenets of prospect theory-framing the preferred choice as less risky than the alternative-will garner more initial support for an agreement and, more importantly, will insulate a peace process to some extent from failures in implementation. For this paper, we ask a series of three questions designed to determine how leaders from both sides frame the peace agreement reached, how they describe the implementation of that agreement and its costs and benefits. Our analysis used 170 documents detailing statements by political party leaders and spokespeople, finding that supporters attempted to frame the agreement largely in aspirational terms toward a better future but failed to frame the agreement as a better alternative to continued or renewed conflict.

Negotiation Journal, 2003

The author identifies three distinct mediation sequencing strategies used in intractable communal... more The author identifies three distinct mediation sequencing strategies used in intractable communal conflicts: the gradualism model; a "boulder-in-theroad" approach; and the "committee" strategy. Using case examples of contemporary mediation efforts, he describes the three approaches and their advantages and disadvantages. A wider-angle approach to the differences in how mediators and conflicting parties achieve peace in these destructive conflicts is useful for both scholarly inquiry and practice.

Negotiation Journal, 2003

NOTE 1. The three works-two texts and an instructional video and curriculum package-considered by... more NOTE 1. The three works-two texts and an instructional video and curriculum package-considered by Professor Nolan-Haley in her review essay were:

Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 2010

Civil Wars, 1998

Page 1. A Tyrian Dilemma: Guarantors in Peace Processes JOSHUA N. WEISS This article attempts to ... more Page 1. A Tyrian Dilemma: Guarantors in Peace Processes JOSHUA N. WEISS This article attempts to make sense out of a difficult and, in the author's opinion, understudied concept - that of guarantors in peace agreements. ...

Peace & Change, 2011

We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their cons... more We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their constituents to either support or oppose the agreement. It is our argument that a ''sales'' message that is based on tenets of prospect theory-framing the preferred choice as less risky than the alternative-will garner more initial support for an agreement and, more importantly, will insulate a peace process to some extent from failures in implementation. For this paper, we ask a series of three questions designed to determine how leaders from both sides frame the peace agreement reached, how they describe the implementation of that agreement and its costs and benefits. Our analysis used 170 documents detailing statements by political party leaders and spokespeople, finding that supporters attempted to frame the agreement largely in aspirational terms toward a better future but failed to frame the agreement as a better alternative to continued or renewed conflict.

Negotiation Journal, 2005

The teaching of negotiation in an online context is not only possible, but surprisingly provides ... more The teaching of negotiation in an online context is not only possible, but surprisingly provides a number of opportunities that the traditional face-to-face classroom setting lacks. The author, drawing on his practical experience over the past few years, puts forth suggestions for preparing and teaching negotiation online. After explaining the preparation and structure of the course, the author offers six core insights to consider when teaching negotiation in this context.

Negotiation Journal, 2003

The author identifies three distinct mediation sequencing strategies used in intractable communal... more The author identifies three distinct mediation sequencing strategies used in intractable communal conflicts: the gradualism model; a "boulder-in-theroad" approach; and the "committee" strategy. Using case examples of contemporary mediation efforts, he describes the three approaches and their advantages and disadvantages. A wider-angle approach to the differences in how mediators and conflicting parties achieve peace in these destructive conflicts is useful for both scholarly inquiry and practice.

Negotiation …, 2001

This essay outlines a conceptual framework for discussing "success" in interactive conflict resol... more This essay outlines a conceptual framework for discussing "success" in interactive conflict resolution and in conflict resolution efforts more generally. It first proposes reasons why evaluation is crucial for improving practice. An overview of the new framework and its development are then presented. This gives the reader a window into its construction and some of the challenges of evaluation in conflict intervention processes. Next, the uses of the framework are explained as well as how its use helps to change the debate about successful processes. Finally, this article discusses how the theoretician, practitioner, and researcher-evaluator can use this framework for their own purposes, and how evaluating processes based upon their goals helps to improve the theory, practice, and research of the field.

Peace & Change, Jun 17, 2011

We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their cons... more We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their constituents to either support or oppose the agreement. It is our argument that a ''sales'' message that is based on tenets of prospect theory-framing the preferred choice as less risky than the alternative-will garner more initial support for an agreement and, more importantly, will insulate a peace process to some extent from failures in implementation. For this paper, we ask a series of three questions designed to determine how leaders from both sides frame the peace agreement reached, how they describe the implementation of that agreement and its costs and benefits. Our analysis used 170 documents detailing statements by political party leaders and spokespeople, finding that supporters attempted to frame the agreement largely in aspirational terms toward a better future but failed to frame the agreement as a better alternative to continued or renewed conflict.

This paper uses Kahneman & Tversky\u27s prospect theory to analyze how leaders and opponents ... more This paper uses Kahneman & Tversky\u27s prospect theory to analyze how leaders and opponents attempt to frame and \u27sell\u27 peace agreements to their constituents using the Good Friday and Oslo Agreements as case studies

Peace & Change, 2011

We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their cons... more We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their constituents to either support or oppose the agreement. It is our argument that a ''sales'' message that is based on tenets of prospect theory-framing the preferred choice as less risky than the alternative-will garner more initial support for an agreement and, more importantly, will insulate a peace process to some extent from failures in implementation. For this paper, we ask a series of three questions designed to determine how leaders from both sides frame the peace agreement reached, how they describe the implementation of that agreement and its costs and benefits. Our analysis used 170 documents detailing statements by political party leaders and spokespeople, finding that supporters attempted to frame the agreement largely in aspirational terms toward a better future but failed to frame the agreement as a better alternative to continued or renewed conflict.

In the face of daunting barriers, the Abraham Path Initiative envisions uncovering and revitalizi... more In the face of daunting barriers, the Abraham Path Initiative envisions uncovering and revitalizing a route of cultural tourism that follows the path of Abraham and his family some 4000 years ago across the Middle East. It begins in the ancient ruins of Harran, in modern-day Turkey, where Abraham first heard the call to "go forth." It passes through some of the world’s most revered cultural, historical, and holy sites, ending in the city of Hebron/Al-Khalil at the tomb of Abraham. With Abraham as a venerated patriarchal figure for Islam, Judaism, and Christianity—monotheistic religions whose adherents have so often clashed--the potential unifying power of this conception has attracted a remarkable range of supporters from around the world. From a notion crystallized at Harvard in 2004, this idea has been carefully negotiated into a concrete reality with supporting country organizations in Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. If completed, it would eventually exten...

Working papers are in draft form. This working paper is distributed for purposes of comment and d... more Working papers are in draft form. This working paper is distributed for purposes of comment and discussion only. It may not be reproduced without permission of the copyright holder. Copies of working papers are available from the author.

Negotiation Journal, 2015

Persuasion is undoubtedly a critical negotiation skill. But while the literature has examined its... more Persuasion is undoubtedly a critical negotiation skill. But while the literature has examined its role in negotiation, few, if any, scholars or practitioners have offered a clear strategic framework for putting persuasion into negotiation practice. The ethos, pathos, and logos modes of persuasion elucidated by Aristotle in the fourth century B.C.E. provide a clear, understandable, and easy-to-apply framework that students and trainees can use to prepare for negotiation, to deploy during the negotiation process, and to conduct debriefings following a negotiation. In this article, I describe how to apply this Aristotelian framework and explain an additional dimension of persuasion in negotiation that I believe is also critical: timing. Through the real-world example of Anwar Sadat and his trip to Jerusalem, I demonstrate how this framework has worked in practice.

Peace & Change, 2011

We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their cons... more We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their constituents to either support or oppose the agreement. It is our argument that a ''sales'' message that is based on tenets of prospect theory-framing the preferred choice as less risky than the alternative-will garner more initial support for an agreement and, more importantly, will insulate a peace process to some extent from failures in implementation. For this paper, we ask a series of three questions designed to determine how leaders from both sides frame the peace agreement reached, how they describe the implementation of that agreement and its costs and benefits. Our analysis used 170 documents detailing statements by political party leaders and spokespeople, finding that supporters attempted to frame the agreement largely in aspirational terms toward a better future but failed to frame the agreement as a better alternative to continued or renewed conflict.

Negotiation Journal, 2003

The author identifies three distinct mediation sequencing strategies used in intractable communal... more The author identifies three distinct mediation sequencing strategies used in intractable communal conflicts: the gradualism model; a "boulder-in-theroad" approach; and the "committee" strategy. Using case examples of contemporary mediation efforts, he describes the three approaches and their advantages and disadvantages. A wider-angle approach to the differences in how mediators and conflicting parties achieve peace in these destructive conflicts is useful for both scholarly inquiry and practice.

Negotiation Journal, 2003

NOTE 1. The three works-two texts and an instructional video and curriculum package-considered by... more NOTE 1. The three works-two texts and an instructional video and curriculum package-considered by Professor Nolan-Haley in her review essay were:

Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 2010

Civil Wars, 1998

Page 1. A Tyrian Dilemma: Guarantors in Peace Processes JOSHUA N. WEISS This article attempts to ... more Page 1. A Tyrian Dilemma: Guarantors in Peace Processes JOSHUA N. WEISS This article attempts to make sense out of a difficult and, in the author's opinion, understudied concept - that of guarantors in peace agreements. ...

Peace & Change, 2011

We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their cons... more We examine how supporters and opponents of the 1993 Oslo Accords attempted to persuade their constituents to either support or oppose the agreement. It is our argument that a ''sales'' message that is based on tenets of prospect theory-framing the preferred choice as less risky than the alternative-will garner more initial support for an agreement and, more importantly, will insulate a peace process to some extent from failures in implementation. For this paper, we ask a series of three questions designed to determine how leaders from both sides frame the peace agreement reached, how they describe the implementation of that agreement and its costs and benefits. Our analysis used 170 documents detailing statements by political party leaders and spokespeople, finding that supporters attempted to frame the agreement largely in aspirational terms toward a better future but failed to frame the agreement as a better alternative to continued or renewed conflict.

Negotiation Journal, 2005

The teaching of negotiation in an online context is not only possible, but surprisingly provides ... more The teaching of negotiation in an online context is not only possible, but surprisingly provides a number of opportunities that the traditional face-to-face classroom setting lacks. The author, drawing on his practical experience over the past few years, puts forth suggestions for preparing and teaching negotiation online. After explaining the preparation and structure of the course, the author offers six core insights to consider when teaching negotiation in this context.

Negotiation Journal, 2003

The author identifies three distinct mediation sequencing strategies used in intractable communal... more The author identifies three distinct mediation sequencing strategies used in intractable communal conflicts: the gradualism model; a "boulder-in-theroad" approach; and the "committee" strategy. Using case examples of contemporary mediation efforts, he describes the three approaches and their advantages and disadvantages. A wider-angle approach to the differences in how mediators and conflicting parties achieve peace in these destructive conflicts is useful for both scholarly inquiry and practice.

Negotiation …, 2001

This essay outlines a conceptual framework for discussing "success" in interactive conflict resol... more This essay outlines a conceptual framework for discussing "success" in interactive conflict resolution and in conflict resolution efforts more generally. It first proposes reasons why evaluation is crucial for improving practice. An overview of the new framework and its development are then presented. This gives the reader a window into its construction and some of the challenges of evaluation in conflict intervention processes. Next, the uses of the framework are explained as well as how its use helps to change the debate about successful processes. Finally, this article discusses how the theoretician, practitioner, and researcher-evaluator can use this framework for their own purposes, and how evaluating processes based upon their goals helps to improve the theory, practice, and research of the field.