Hi all,
Long time lurker, practically never posted. I thought I'd write a short note to talk about a key element of negotiations that I haven't seen discussed yet.
If you've read "Getting to Yes" or other good books on negotiations, you know that it's important to map out in advance what your "win" looks like, where your trade-offs will be, and what you cannot accept. But there's one other key item you have know going in: What's your Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA)? Not every deal can be made and not everyone is going to negotiate with you at an acceptable level. What are you prepared to do when that happens?
Thinking about the debt ceiling negotiations, what was the Democratic BATNA going in if their opponents refused to give an inch? Use the bully pulpit to ensure that every American knew that it was the Republican who drove the country to default? Invoke the 14th amendment? Mint a platinum coin? It was no mystery going in that some Republicans were willing to push the United States into default and blow up the economy. Perhaps the only surprise was the extent to which they would repeated undermine Boehner's position and ultimately drive the process. If the BATNA did not include accepting a default on creditors, what other options did the Democrats have left?
At this point though, it's moot (though I'd appreciate your thoughts below). What is more important is to understand our BATNA on the votes to come. I'm convinced that there is little limit to the economic damage that the Republicans will inflict in order to preserve low taxes on the rich, and gut any government program (aside from maybe Defense) that might make the lives of citizens better. What's our BATNA for the next round?
I'm off to class, but I'm happy to respond to comments when I get back
Thanks,
Dave
