Evaluating Bargaining Performance: The Case of Camp David

Key takeaways

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Bibliography: Telhami, S., 1992. Evaluating Bargaining Performance: The Case of Camp David. Political Science Quarterly 107, 629. https://doi.org/10.2307/2152288

Authors:: Shibley Telhami

Collections:: Arab-Israeli Conflict

First-page:

Abstract

Citations

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Reading notes

bargaining at Camp David supports the proposition that decentralized systems of government are more conducive to effective bargaining than centralized ones
Second, given that some personal styles are more suitable to optimal bargaining than others, Anwar Sadat's personal tendencies were less conducive to optimal bargaining than those of Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter.
This general Egyptian inclination centred on Egyptian competition with Israel for alliance with the United States, a competition that was central to Camp David.
Egyptian bargaining was nonoptimal.
At Camp David, therefore, the Egyptian system was not conducive to effective bargaining behavior.
For example, during one bargaining session Sadat attempted to use "Egyptian public opinion" as leverage, only to be told by Begin that "the people of Egypt could be easily manipulated by Sadat, and their beliefs and attitudes could be shaped by their leader
In summary, Sadat's personality was not conducive to optimal bargaining behavior
Israeli behaviour was more consistent with optimal bargaining than Egypt's behavior.
The Israeli pluralist-parliamentary system of govern- ment was more conducive to optimal bargaining.
Begin had a substantial hand in the ranking of individuals within the party, several members of his team had their own political standing and could run independently.
Even if Begin felt pressured to make decisions, he had several fallback positions. He could claim that he needed the approval of the full Israeli government, the Knesset, or Israeli public opinion
Begin's personal style was generally conducive to effective bargaining
American behavior was predictable on at least one significant issue: when Carter confronted Israeli steadfastness, he almost always hurried to the Egyptian delegation, where he consistently found a responsive Sadat. Knowing that, the Israelis could afford to maintain their strategy.