The techniques employed in interpersonal mediation also have real world application in discourse about broad global issues as well as our own intra-personal conflicts. When issues are overwhelming or if a decision is not clear the techniques of fractionation, framing, reframing, and common ground can become something of a step-by-step process for overcoming the confusion. In a sense, you step outside of yourself and become your own mediator when you can apply this intra-personally.
If I were to sit down with the world’s leaders and try to tackle the global economy, we would get nowhere without using fractionation to break down the problem by regions and to discover their various subtleties. We would then need to frame the questions that are pertinent in each region as a way of summarizing what we’re facing. Reframing would be necessary to address any biases or political leanings that came from the initial framing. Common ground could be demonstrated by each parties understanding and desire to mend the situation. Hopefully there would also be a shared sense of responsibility as well as other values that are held in common that are useful in the situation as well as a starting point for deeper mutual respect.
Of course, my example isn’t easy to implement and doesn’t automatically arrive at a solution to our current crisis. It at least might provide a framework for analyzing the situation.
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