Varieties of Compromise

Compromises are unpopular, but they are indispensable both in everyday life and in politics. This is because conflicting interests and convictions often cannot be fundamentally reconciled, in which case it is wise to agree on a non-violent and jointly negotiated »second-best solution« – to compromise. Véronique Zanetti employs numerous examples to show how different kinds of compromise can be found in individual and social processes of decision-making, in politics, ethics and law.

»The underlying idea is that the result of compromise-oriented procedures is better in the end than the divergent initial positions because it takes multiple points of view into account. Véronique Zanetti's book praises compromise, which deserves this recognition, especially in times of much-lamented polarisation.« Robert Misik, taz am wochenende