A Super-Optimum (Win-Win) Solution to
the Middle East Peace Process:

The Confederation of Abraham

A Program of the

Human Progress Network (HPN)

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The Human Progress Network's programs to support human progress and survival include the concept of super-optimum solutions, to assist in the resolution of major international conflicts.

The Arab-Israeli confrontation resulted in a tremendous waste of resources on military expenditures, occasional bloody warfare, and unresolved economic, social and environmental problems. The continued violence in the Middle East requires new ideas to bring about real peace. Previous problems with the peace process are hindered by the Arab mindset. Any true peace (salaam) with Israel could result in a "win-lose" situation. Namely, Israel wins and the Arabs lose (again). What is needed is a "win-win" solution, where both parties gain most of their objectives.

The concept of super-optimum solutions was applied to resolve the problems of the Arab World and Israel. A research paper was developed, titled The Confederation of Abraham, which outlines a possible approach to the problems of the region.

Super-Optimum Solutions

Super-optimum solutions (SOS) are alternatives to public policy problems in which both liberals and conservatives -- and others holding opposing viewpoints -- come out ahead of their initial best expectations. Developed by Stuart S. Nagel, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, super-optimum solutions offer a method of developing alternative solutions to many of the human conflicts of the world.

Briefly, the methodology involves organizing the alternatives and goals of a given situation -- usually a crisis or serious problem -- in a systematic fashion. The alternatives and goals are organized in a table. Value ratings are assigned to the various combinations of alternatives and goals, ranging from Excellent to Poor. A set of multiplier or weight factor is also assigned to the goals, reflecting the relative importance of each goal. The resulting alternatives and value ratings are then tabulated and summarized, to arrive at the optimum -- most favorable to both sides -- alternative. There are ways of systematically reaching super-optimum solutions:

• expand the resources available
• set higher goals than what was considered previously the best, while still preserving realism
• arranging for one side to receive big benefits, but the other side incurs only small costs
• involving a third party benefactor or facilitator
• combining alternatives that are not mutually exclusive
• removing or decreasing the source of the conflict between the contending parties, rather than trying to synthesize their separate proposals
• develop a package of alternatives that would satisfy both sides of a conflict.

The Confederation of Abraham is an example of a super-optimum solution proposed for a major conflict that afflicted the world for more than five decades.

For the detailed summation of the super-optimum solution, go to the

Confederation of Abraham

For the detailed proposed movement for implementation, go to the

Alliance for Middle East Just Peace

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