Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • Article
  • Negotiation Journal

Avoiding the Costs of Negotiation: A Commentary on "Is Unilateralism Always Bad?"

By: James K. Sebenius
  • Format:Print
ShareBar

Abstract

Why, if an outcome is in the interests of both sides, should it not be negotiated rather than unilaterally imposed? This comment offers additional reasons to prefer negotiation (beyond those adduced in the original article) over unilateral action, even where such action is possible. However, even outcomes in the clear interests of both sides may not be negotiable due to the costs to the negotiator, especially where important constituencies would exact high penalties for any perceived "concessions." In such cases, even substantively worse court or arbitral verdicts may be preferable for the negotiator since they are imposed rather than agreed to as the result of any weakness or concessions.

Keywords

Negotiation; Bargaining; Middle East; Israel; Palestinians; Israel; Palestinian state

Citation

Sebenius, James K. Avoiding the Costs of Negotiation: A Commentary on "Is Unilateralism Always Bad?". Negotiation Journal 30, no. 2 (April 2014): 165–168.
  • Find it at Harvard
  • Read Now

About The Author

James K. Sebenius

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
→More Publications

More from the Author

    • January 11, 2023
    • ForeignAffairs.com

    Russia and Ukraine Are Not Ready for Talks: But They Might Get There If Ukraine Keeps Winning

    By: James K. Sebenius and Michael Singh
    • November 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Steve Schwarzman on Dealmaking II: When They Hold All the Cards (B)

    By: James K. Sebenius and Alex Green
    • November 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Steve Schwarzman on Dealmaking II: When They Hold All the Cards (A)

    By: James K. Sebenius and Alex Green
More from the Author
  • Russia and Ukraine Are Not Ready for Talks: But They Might Get There If Ukraine Keeps Winning By: James K. Sebenius and Michael Singh
  • Steve Schwarzman on Dealmaking II: When They Hold All the Cards (B) By: James K. Sebenius and Alex Green
  • Steve Schwarzman on Dealmaking II: When They Hold All the Cards (A) By: James K. Sebenius and Alex Green
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College