Towards Post-management: Dialogic Practice

Abstract

The dialogic approach describes the new fresh, revolutionary informal peace diplomacy executed by certain private peacemakers. The dialogic approach is not a uniform and coherent tool, but it is possible to detect certain main characteristics, although their particular application varies among various private peace actors. Indeed, perhaps at a certain level it is still more an ideal model than a systematically operationalized practice, even if there are efforts to make it the latter. Dialogic approach or dialogic mediation draws from theories on the transformation and complexity of conflicts and is founded on a focus on dialogue, long-term change and sustainability, as well as local ownership. It emphasizes context specificity, localized approaches, and the fluidity and flexibility of concepts and approaches, and derives entry points from local actors rather than official mandates. Dialogic describes well a new kind of interaction between a third party and the parties in conflict, but the same approach can also be labelled a post-management approach since it determinedly departs from the hegemonic rationalistic conflict management frame and its emphasis on incompatible interests, towards an emphasis on transformation.