Negotiations have been happening all over the place lately – the DUP-Tory deal, Stormont talks and Brexit negotiations. How are the various parties/actors approaching them, and what approaches could lead to successful outcomes?

The most desirable outcome and a requirement for a successful negotiation is the adoption of a win-win strategy. The win-win strategy means finding a common ground where both parties can leave the negotiation satisfied at having gained their overall objectives.

The DUP and Theresa May both appeared to be very pleased with their deal (perhaps relieved in the latter case). With this particular negotiation some form of deal was always going to be highly probable. The Conservatives were desperate to stay in power and, mathematically, they needed the DUP in order to do so.

The DUP, on the other hand, used their position to demonstrate their power over other parties in Northern Ireland, and get the best deal for people of NI but mostly to show their influence and power.

In the deal with Tories the DUP signalled their recognition for the restoration of an inclusive and stable power-sharing Executive. However, it seems as if the DUP are still buoyed by the momentum from their deal and will keep fighting against Sinn Féin’s demand for a standalone Irish Language Act.

The Guardian called the Stormont negotiations a ‘culture war’; now DUP are trying to get Ulster-Scots and Orange culture recognised well in a ‘Culture Act’. It seems that DUP and Sinn Féin believe that one party is distant from the other’s demands, making it apparently impossible to reach a consensus.

Why does each side assume that its view is the most rational and that people who disagree with them are the ones who are ideologically or politically motivated?

If both parties are doing their best for all the people of Northern Ireland then they might need to use some perspective-taking: to try and put themselves in each other’s shoes, and look at the demands and views from a different standpoint.

Perspective-taking is an important skill needed to realise that most negotiations are not ‘zero-sum’ and that creative trading can provide all sides with a reasonable outcome —a win-win solution.

Northern Ireland’s parties found the ability to engage in creative trading in the past. Perhaps the ‘constructive ambiguity’ from previous deals has slowly been catching up on contemporary talks participants. Perhaps these conspicuous attempts to satisfy both sides have left too many issues unresolved.

The alternative, however, may well be markedly worse. It is when both sides in the Stormont talks calculate that they are both losing from the status quo that we might begin to see a greater mutual sense of urgency.