Articles that examine the compatibility of mediation with the dominant norms and values of American culture consider how the institutional, organizational, and interpersonal levels of society accommodate the practice of mediation. Although some practitioners view mediation as critical to the continuation of law as a responsive institution, some view mediation as a subversion of the concepts of justice and equality. Articles pertaining to the effectiveness of mediation in resolving conflict focus on power imbalances in dispute resolution and the success of mediation in addressing domestic violence. Two articles on change in the implementation of mediation programs discuss New York's statewide mediation program and how State legislation can remove some of the obstacles to the effective implementation of mediation programs. Articles pertaining to the continuity of mediation into the future suggest how attorney resistance to mediation can be reduced and examine how the mediation of student conflicts in a New Jersey school district has been used. Chapter notes, references, and subject index. For individual articles, see NCJ 104265-70, 100326, 99896, 98563, and 98565.