Theory and Practice: Do They Meet?
Abstract
The impressive wealth of literature to international negotiation research testifies to the ever growig interest in and relevance of international negotiation theory as a field of academic study. While the scientific value of this research has never put into doubt, its practical usefulness for operational diplomatic activities is sometimes questioned by practitioners who either ignore the basics of negotition theory or flatly discard them as being not relevant for real life conflicts and situations. Against this background it appeared timely and approriate to confront some of the theorists' key concepts with diplomats' practical experience in relevant areas of international negotiations.