Introduction to “Dispute Resolution and Political Polarization

Dispute resolution practitioners and scholars know conflict. In fact, some would say that we love conflict. And yet, despite our affinity with conflict, the polarization that is evident in today’s public space has been disconcerting. While we generally operate in a space where we are constantly exploring options, seeking compromise, helping participants explore their interests and finding ways to move towards agreement, what seems like an inability to even engage in any kind of dialogue is troubling. These and other related concerns led the editors of the Journal of Dispute Resolution to solicit contributions from seven well-known conflict resolution scholars on the topic of political polarization and dispute resolution principles