Resolving Deep-rooted Conflicts ― Essays on the Theory and Practice of Interactive Problem-solving

The theoretical focus of Kelman's work throughout his career has been social influence and attitude change, with an emphasis on the distinction between different processes of influence; on the relationship of action to attitude change; and on conceptions of personal responsibility for actions ordered by legitimate authorities. He has explored influence processes in various applied settings, including psychotherapy, international educational exchanges, and more recently, problem-solving workshops in the resolution of international conflicts. Kelman has been a pioneer of conflict resolution and peace research, and his work in conflict resolution has included a decades-long action research program on the Arab-Israeli conflict which has seen the development of Interactive Problem-Solving Workshops, an approach which has had a deep impact not only on research, but also on the practice of conflict resolution around the world, and especially in the Middle East.

The book focuses on the conflict resolution-related work, bringing together for the first time a selection of articles written by Kelman across his career as academic and practitioner. These articles are relevant to both current and future scholars and practitioners of conflict resolution and related fields. By bringing together these articles, carefully selected by Professor Kelman together with Professor Werner Wintersteiner and Dr Wilfried Graf, the book offers a concise overview of the body of Kelman’s work and his intellectual biography. It traces the origins of the field of conflict resolution, the development of the study and practice of Interactive Problem Solving Workshops, and the wider challenges faced by conflict resolution research and practice.

This book will be of much interest to students of peace and conflict studies, conflict resolution, psychology and IR in general. 

Herbert C. Kelman is Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics, Emeritus, at Harvard University, USA, and author of several books on conflict resolution.