The article is based on the book «Social Psychology» by David Myers
Sometimes tension and mutual suspicion are so great that even communication becomes impossible. Will unilateral appeasement be effective in this case? No. In laboratory conditions, subjects who agree to unconditional cooperation often turn into an object of exploitation. Also in politics, one-sided pacifism is out of the question.
POIR
The strategy, called «gradual and reciprocal initiatives to defuse tensions,» is based on such socio-psychological concepts as the norm of reciprocity and the attribution of motives.
The POIR requires one side to initiate several small actions aimed at de-escalating the conflict, in advance declaring his desire for peace.The initiator declares his readiness to act in the name of easing tension, communicates his every step towards peace before taking it, and calls on the conflicting party to follow his example. Statements like these create a backdrop that helps the opposing side correctly interpret what might otherwise be misunderstood as signs of weakness or deception. They also attract the attention of the public, which begins to put pressure on the enemy, forcing him to follow the norms of reciprocity.
In order to create an atmosphere of sincerity and trust, the initiator of reconciliation, in accordance with the intentions declared earlier, makes several verifiable acts of reconciliation.He may offer medical information, the elimination of a military base, or the lifting of trade bans, but does not sacrifice his own essential interests and leaves the enemy to determine the nature of his retaliatory moves. If the adversary retaliates voluntarily, his own conciliatory behavior may soften his attitudes.
The strategy of POIR is conciliatory. But this is not «surrender in installments.» Each side keeps ability to punish.Initial conciliatory steps do not threaten the security of either side. If one of the parties commits an act of aggression, the other responds in kind, making it clear that it does not intend to put up with exploitation. However, the response should not be excessive, so as not to cause a re-emergence of the conflict. If the adversary announces his intention to carry out conciliatory actions, they should also be either equivalent or even a little more «generous».
Recurring steps towards reconciliation really generate trust (although, due to their self-interest, conflicting parties often feel that their actions are more conciliatory and less hostile than those of the enemy). Maintaining a balance of power does protect against exploitation.