ABSTRACT
The idea of a ripe moment lies at the fingertips of diplomats. ‘Ripeness of time is one of the absolute essences of diplomacy’, wrote John Campbell. While most studies on peaceful settlement of disputes see the substance of the proposals for a solution as the key to a successful resolution of conflict, a growing focus of attention shows that a second and equally necessary key lies in the timing of efforts for resolution. The concept of a ripe moment centers on the parties’ perception of a Mutually Hurting Stalemate, optimally associated with an impending, past or recently avoided catastrophe. While ripeness has not always been seized upon to open negotiations, there have been occasions when it has come into play, as identified by both analysts and practitioners. The most important refinements carry the theory onto a second level of questions about the effects of each side’s pluralized politics on both the perceptions and uses of ripeness.
