Countering the bizarre world of Trump: Transforming conflict from destructive to constructive and productive

Principled negotiation

Pioneered and developed by the principals at the Harvard Negotiation Project, this is a method of negotiation that is based on four principles: Separate the people from the problem, Interests instead of positions, Agree on fair standards, and Invent options for mutual gain. This is neither adversarial nor accommodating, neither aggressive nor passive, but rather assertive and focused on creating win-win options. It includes developing a bottom line--a floor to what parties can accept (and is kept confidential by the parties)--and a best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA, which is most adaptively shared in order to incentivize negotiations in good faith).

Integrating principled negotiation into talks with civil society sectors who are increasingly aghast at some or all of Trump's irrational or cruel actions can be a part of flipping the divide and conquer script that has served autocrats so well for centuries. Dividing those who have been either willingly or coerced into supporting Trump can reveal his power base to be separable instead of monolithic, which is a prerequisite to removing Trump from power.