The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Set during the Salem witch trials, the play dramatizes how accusations and personal testimonies can override objective evidence. Judges in the play struggle to distinguish truth from hysteria, weighing conflicting testimonies and scant evidence. The play critiques and exemplifies the American tradition of judicial inquiry, showing both its strengths and its dangers when subjective testimony overwhelms objective fact.
Law & Order
Law & Order (and spin-offs): Each episode follows the investigation of a crime (gathering evidence) and the subsequent prosecution in court, where lawyers and judges weigh facts and witness statements. The series consistently shows the process of building a case with hard evidence while also scrutinizing the credibility and motives of witnesses, mirroring the American business approach to resolving disputes.
analysis, truth, causes
German literary themes often mirror the country’s approach to conflict resolution by emphasizing rational analysis, the search for truth, and a deep engagement with the causes and consequences of conflict. This is evident in several ways:
1. Analytical and Evidence-Based Narratives: German literature frequently adopts a methodical, almost investigative approach to conflict. Works often reconstruct the origins and dynamics of disputes, reflecting a cultural preference for understanding “why” something happened rather than simply assigning blame. This mirrors the German mediator’s focus on reconstructing causes and seeking objective evidence.
2. Focus on Structural Causes and Complexity. German literary works tend to explore not just individual conflicts, but also the broader structural, historical, and societal factors that give rise to them. For example, literature from the post-Cold War era and after World War II often grapples with the legacy of violence, the trauma of war, and the processes of reconciliation and rebuilding. This reflects a systemic approach to conflict resolution, where understanding the underlying structures is key to lasting peace.
3. Didactic and Reflective Elements. Many German literary texts serve a didactic purpose, encouraging readers to reflect critically on conflict, violence, and their own roles in society. This aligns with the German tradition of using literature as a tool for public conscience and collective learning, fostering dialogue and self-examination as part of the resolution process.
4. Emphasis on Dialogue and Multiple Perspectives. German literature often presents conflicts through multiple viewpoints, highlighting the importance of dialogue, empathy, and understanding different sides. This narrative strategy supports the idea that resolving conflict requires not just evidence, but also the integration of subjective experiences and perspectives.
5. Transformation and Peacebuilding. Themes of transformation—both personal and societal—are central in German literature. Works frequently depict the journey from conflict to reconciliation, emphasizing the possibility of change through understanding, evidence, and dialogue. This reflects the German peacebuilding approach, which seeks to address root causes and foster sustainable solutions.
both sides
“Let’s hear both sides of the story.” Emphasizes the importance of considering all perspectives—objective facts and subjective witness accounts—before making a decision.
“The jury is still out.”
“The jury is still out.” Indicates that a decision hasn’t been made yet because all evidence and arguments are still being considered.
Evidence
German Approach
When resolving a conflict the German mediator focuses on reconstructing the causes and circumstances. Objective evidence is sought to answer the question: “Why did this have to happen?” Examples
American Approach
When resolving a conflict American managers see themselves more as judge than mediator. They consider both objective facts and subjective witness testimony. Examples
American View
Many conflicts are the result of non-quantifiable, nuanced, context-oriented factors. Often there is a fine line between objective and subjective information. The German approach takes into consideration only the factual evidence.
German View
The American approach is too susceptible to manipulation. Colleagues often choose sides in a conflict. Their testimony is inherently subjective.
Advice to Germans
Go beyond the literal, quantifiable facts. Talk to the folks near and/or impacted by the internal conflict. An American party to the conflict will ask and expect you to get the opinion of colleagues who see the situation they do.
To ignore that input as subjective, is to not gather all of the facts. If your team lead is an American, anticipate him/her talking to all sorts of folks in the organization in order to get as complete a picture as possible. Line up your references.
Advice to Americans
If you lead Germans, go ahead and interview folks near and impacted by the conflict. But be sure to start with the facts. Otherwise, your approach could be misperceived as relying too much or exclusively on hearsay.
If your German boss is involved, avoid suggesting that he/she talk to folks who support your point of view. That could be perceived as attempting undue influence on the process.