Includes bibliographical references (pages 131-142) and index.

Foreword / Richard H. Solomon -- The Concept of Culture: A Very Brief History -- An Approach to Culture -- Inadequate Ideas of Culture -- Thinking about Culture -- Thinking about Social Conflict -- and "Resolution" -- Realism and the Absence of Culture in International Relations Theory -- Political Culture and National Character -- Culture in International Relations Theory: Cognitivist Approaches -- Culture and Negotiation -- Culture and International Negotiation: Some Skeptics -- Culture and the Problem of Power -- Conceptualizing Cultural Difference -- Emic Approaches -- Etic Approaches -- Combining Emic and Etic Approaches -- Rational Choice and Gaming -- Bargaining and Negotiation -- Third-Party Processes and Roles.

"The book explores divergent theories of social conflict and differing strategies that shape the conduct of diplomacy, and examines the role that culture has (and has not) played in conflict resolution." "Avruch challenges both scholars and practitioners not only to develop a clearer understanding of what culture is, but also to take that understanding and incorporate it into more effective conflict resolution processes."--Jacket.