Intergovernmental Mediation: Negotiations in Local Government Disputes

Disputes between government bodies are usually settled through either political bargaining or litigation, but a third method has been successfully utilized in Virginia. Since 1980, a number of municipal annexation disputes have been settled using formal mediation as a tool. The authors draw on their experiences in mediation and local government to explore the formal interactions of adversaries and to analyze the patterns of interpersonal exchange-the vital subjective dynamics that determine the outcome of negotiations. They discuss the important roles a third party plays by conveying and legitimating information and by supporting norms of good faith bargaining in hostile confrontations. The book clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of intergovernmental mediation as a means of resolving complex public policy issues between competing groups of government officials.