Gestures of Conciliation: Factors Contributing to Successful Olive Branches

This book examines the ideas, assumptions, and theories that underpin how leaders of parties in intractable conflicts begin and sustain a process of peacemaking by offering to their adversaries "olive branches"--in more modern terms symbolic gestures, concessions, tension reducing moves, or confidence building measures. It discusses means of overcoming political and psychological barriers to accurate communication, building trust, forming domestic consensus, and creating "ripe" conditions for conciliation, suggesting practice guidelines for accommodation.