“D: I don’t like the idea of compromise. I kind of prefer the battlefield “concession” terminology.
You give ground ‘cause you know the other person’s idea is better or their will is stronger.
A: No. I was talking about compromise.
D: Compromise is just sad, like no one will be happy. You do it just to get through the situation. Conceding is like, “I surrender. You win!”
A: Compromises are good things. It means you’re listening to another person’s viewpoint, taking it into account. Compromises can be happy!
D: You only compromise if you want to maintain a relationship even though you think the other person is wrong.
A: That is SO false. You’re unwilling to compromise to see that compromise is a not-terrible thing.”
That exchange was taken from Eli Saslow’s Rising Out of Hatred, a biography of a former prominent white nationalist and his transformation. As Derek Black, the son of Don Black (former KKK Grand Wizard and founder of Stormfront) and godson of David Duke (former KKK Grand Wizard and Louisiana House Representative), slowly begins to re-evaluate his views he shares this text message exchange with a friend. I believe this conversation uniquely applies to Model UN, as diplomats must understand the fundamental differences between concession and compromise.
The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary primarily defines diplomacy as “the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations,” but its second definition is far more important. Diplomacy is also the “skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility.” As Derek Black explicitly stated, concession is directly associated with battle. In a concession there are winners and losers. Compromise, on the other hand, encapsulates cooperation, empathy, and shared investment in problem solving.
The ultimate purpose of the United Nations and other supranational organizations is to address global problems in a way that benefits all parties, while promoting peace and equality at the same time. Though it’s more than unfortunate that history hasn’t always worked out this way due events such as the rise of geopolitical blocs during and after the Cold War, it is our job as participants in Model UN to always keep these principles in the backs of our minds.
In my experience, I’ve observed that it is typically expected that women be the ones to ‘concede’ their position, particularly because women are often viewed as weaker delegates in council. When confronted with this expectation in a committee, overt or not, I encourage you to rise above it and work to embody compromise over concession. Instead of “backing down”, make sure to listen, include, and meet in the middle. You shouldn’t be afraid to speak up—you deserve to be there, just as the country you represent deserves a seat at the table in the actual United Nations.
Negotiation and compromise require an intricate balance between brainstorming, giving, getting, and then repeating that process. By doing your best to not let others put you down while simultaneously lifting others up, you are epitomizing the very essence of the UN and all that it stands for.
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