A formal analysis of the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute

A flexible methodology based on the graph model for conflicts is presented for conveniently analyzing situations of strategic conflict that occur in the real world. The methodology can easily be implemented in practice to study challenging conflict problems in a systematic and detailed way. To illustrate the practical application of the graph model and the interpretation of its results, the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute of 1986 is used as a case study. This technique can be used to assist policy makers for both on-line policy development and negotiation, and off-line policy formulation and analysis.