Negotiations attempt to bring overt conflicts to a situation of balanced power and high awareness. When this situation is stable, Curle calls it peace. Conflicts do not always follow this progression in a linear fashion. Conflicts may regress, or may occasionally skip stages. The appropriate response to latent conflict is education to increase awareness of power imbalances and unequal relationships.
Overt conflicts call for confrontation.
Advocates work to bring the weaker party's needs to the attention of the stronger. Confrontation can range from violent to nonviolent. As awareness of the conflict and recognition of the parties increases the appropriate response becomes negotiation. Mediators or other facilitators seek to balance power between the parties. Successful negotiations produce structural changes in the parties' relationship.