The Predicament

What happens when two sides are faced with a situation where their interests lie on different tracks?
Needless to say that it’s a high voltage situation with a long list of variables where the stakes are sky high and the losses are mounting.

What options are available to the two sides?
What do they do ?

What can they do ?

Let’s take a hard analytical look at this problem. Broadly they have 3 logical solutions.

1. Discuss the problem in a civilized manner and come to a mutually agreeable solution i.e. find a solution through which both gain. Together they decide to overcome obstacles and walk out victorious. In short they live happily ever after.

2. Discuss the problem in a civilized manner and come to a compromise so they don’t exactly live happily ever after but agree to live and let live i.e. they decide to stay out of each other’s hair. In short status quo is maintained.

3. Aha … Here lies the problem !
This is called a standoff. Talks breakdown or reach a point where Options 1 and 2 are just not viable for any one of the two sides or maybe for both. What should be done …

Solution 3 (a) -> Declare war – To the end …
Solution 3 (b) -> Start public campaigns to swing general opinion in ones favor and try to influence the outcome.
Solution (c) -> Use subversive and covert means to spread rumors, image hurting operation etc.

But what happens if both sides are intelligent and civilized people, who value trust, honesty and practice non violence? (Worse they belive in it !) Should they be forced to suffer the consequences of their good intentions ?

No ... !

That’s exactly my point … NO.

But then ‘What do they do ?’ ...

What to do and What not to do ?’