compromise

Compromise is a method of resolving differences where parties each concede some of their demands to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. It often involves trade-offs, where gains on one issue are traded for concessions on another. Compromise does not imply agreement on all positions, but rather a shared baseline that all sides can live with.

The word derives from the Middle French compromis, from Latin compromisum, meaning a mutual pledge or agreement reached by compromise.

In politics and law, compromises are common to pass legislation, draft treaties, or resolve constitutional disputes. Historical examples include the Great Compromise of 1787, which shaped the structure of the U.S. Congress, the Missouri Compromise of 1820, and the Compromise of 1850. These arrangements sought to reconcile conflicts between parties or regions with divergent interests.

Compromise can be strategic or principled. Strategic compromise emphasizes practical governance; principled compromise tries to preserve core values while seeking workable outcomes. Effective compromise typically rests on identifying underlying interests, generating options, and using objective criteria to justify concessions. Techniques include negotiation preparation, multi-issue bargaining, and, in some cases, arbitration or mediation.

Compromise has critics who view it as surrender of essential principles or as rewarding bad behavior. It can also stall necessary reforms if parties demand excessive concessions. When poorly negotiated, compromises may be fragile or ill-conceived, breaking down when political incentives change.