“I would personally suggest the gun control groups develop a BATNA to help induce more good-faith negotiating,” Tom H. Hastings, Director of the Peace and Nonviolence Studies, Conflict Resolution graduate program at Portland State University and Secretary for the Oregon Peace Studies Consortium writes in the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal.
“BATNA?” Hastings asks rhetorically (“Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement”). “It simply means that, if you are trying to negotiate with anyone, it’s important to not only think about ‘what if these negotiations fail,’ but to let the others know what you will be forced to do in that case.”
What does Hastings believe he’s “negotiating,” with whom, and what will he feel compelled to do if his demands aren’t met?