This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the international negotiation system – its key elements and processes, what major issues and challenges it faces today, and its impacts on international relations. As a major catalyst of global dynamics, negotiation can resolve conflicts and promote cooperation peacefully. It is important to understand how it works.

First, the book analyzes the principal factors that interact to move the negotiation system forward – the issues and context, actors, structures, strategies, and outcomes. Then, this book considers four basic subprocesses of international negotiation – getting to the table, conducting negotiations, developing implementation plans as part of the negotiation, and continuing negotiations in the post-agreement period. Relevant research is presented in each chapter to elaborate on these dynamics and offer case studies of negotiations addressing intrastate conflict, the environment, terrorism, anticorruption and good governance, and post-agreement issues. In addition, the book examines major conflictual conundrums currently facing the world in the Middle East and Ukraine to explore opportunities for negotiated solutions.

This book provides a solid mix of theory, research, and real-world cases that offers readers a comprehensive appreciation of the field and how it is put to use on a practical level. It will serve as an excellent basic text for university classes in international relations, peace studies, conflict resolution, and international negotiation.