What is arbitration in the context of conflict resolution?

Arbitration in the context of conflict resolution is a formal process whereby the disputing parties agree to submit their conflict to an impartial third party, known as an arbitrator. This arbitrator listens to both sides of the dispute and then makes a binding decision that the parties must follow. The emphasis on a 'mutually agreed solution where authority is imposed' reflects this process accurately, as the decision enforced by the arbitrator has legal standing and is treated similarly to a court judgment.

Unlike the process implied by casual conversations or open-ended discussions, which may aim for consensus without binding outcomes, arbitration provides a definitive resolution to a conflict. Similarly, a structured debate suggests an engagement of differing viewpoints without a formal resolution enforced by a third party. Arbitration thus stands out as a distinct method in conflict resolution aimed at arriving at a binding conclusion to disputes.