Essay Example: Negotiation Scenario of the Conflict Between the US and North Korea

Before States resolve that war is the only option, they should have exhausted all avenues of negotiations. However, in the negotiation process, some State actors are better than others because of the styles, strategies, and communication cultures that they deploy. Preparing for negotiation requires parties to analyze their interests as well as those of the other parties. Additionally, they ought to be aware of the alternatives existing and how they can improve their best option. Conflicts are not to be avoided but addressed through non-violent means. One of the disputes which require negotiation is that between the US and North Korea. The negotiation scenario is brought about by the actions of the North Korean government continuing to conduct missile and nuclear tests. This paper presents a draft of the negotiation scenario.

Type of Negotiation

The negotiation between the two countries will be a zero-sum game. In this situation of the game theory, one of the parties gains is equivalent to the net loss of the other. As such, the net change in any benefit is zero. In the case between the US and North Korea, both parties will make equal gains and losses hence bringing the net change to zero. Specifically, North Korea will agree to stop its building and testing her missiles and nuclear weapons while the United States will lift its trade embargo on North Korea. In this regard, the US will gain by ensuring that there are no further threats to international peace and security while North Korea will benefit due to lifting of embargos which will foster good trade relations between the Country and the United States. The following is the scenario game theory-based figure.

Figure 1: Scenario Game Theory-Based Figure for the Negotiation between the US and North Korea

Suggestions to Foster Productive Negotiation

To ensure that the negotiations between the two countries will be productive, it is critical that various recommendations are followed to the latter. Each of the two parties should understand the interests of the other. In specific, the United States should know that North Korea wants to be the most powerful regarding weapons of mass destructions while North Korea should understand that the US wants to ensure international peace and security. Additionally, it is suggested that both parties come to the table with no irreducible minimums. Moreover, it is recommended that the two parties consider the alternatives that they have and make a determination as to the best alternative in the circumstances. In sitting at the negotiation table, the two parties should be objective avoid instances which could lead to the escalation of the differences.

Why This Approach Should Be Adopted

The zero-sum approach should be adopted because each of the parties to the negotiation will have to gain somehow and also lose on other aspects. As such, none of the parties will feel that they have lost while the other has won. Specifically, the US will win by ensuring that no more missiles and nuclear weapons are tested and lose through lifting its trade embargo on North Korea. North Korea, on the other hand, will gain by ensuring that it can trade with the US and other countries and lose by being ceasing to produce and test her missiles. None of the parties will feel that they have given too much after the conclusion of the negotiations. However, considering that North Korea had broken previous agreements, measures should be taken to ensure that she keeps her part of the bargain.