Critically discuss the relevance of mediation and conflict resolution in a capitalist society that neglects the disadvantaged.Introduction-Mediation and other means of conflict resolution help the disadvantaged by giving them the opportunity to have control over how a resolution can be resolved. The speed, cost and human aspect of mediation differ from the long, drawn-out legal process which some may consider unequal. A capitalist society, such as that of Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizes materialism and hierarchical structures, which can create and abandon disadvantaged groups (Pavlich, 2013). This article seeks to show how mediation can effectively help neglected and disadvantaged people protect their social and economic rights in a capitalist society. (SOMETHING ELSE?) A capitalist society can be defined as a structure whereby goods and services are owned by individuals or businesses. . An essential characteristic of capitalism is the exploitative relationship of capital to labor in the form of value (Wetly, 1987). In examining an example of a capitalist society according to this essential characteristic, one can use Trinidad and Tobago. When Europeans came to Trinidad with the aim of colonizing the country, an exploitative relationship existed. The Native Americans who already occupied the islands were “forced” to work for the colonizers. In exchange, they were conditioned to believe that they were “civilized” because they were “savage.” As this exploitation continued, the only ones to benefit were the colonizers. They ensured that the Native Americans worked as hard as they could and obeyed them so that any profits earned would go to the Europeans. This continued until slavery was one of the most exploited methods...... middle of paper ...... speech making them relatively invisible in society. Postmodern theorists have also studied disadvantaged groups. These researchers call them “marginalized groups.” Gayatri Spivak, in her article, “Can Subalterns Speak? argued that marginalized groups are those deprived of agency due to their social status. She went on to say that anyone without access to power lives in the space of difference and is considered marginalized. Spivak posited that blacks, gays, lower-class people, women, and girls typically make up a significant portion of these marginalized groups.INSERT CONCLUSION HERE!1678 WORDS SO FAR!!!BibliographyPavlich, G. (2013). Fragmented justice: Mediation of community conflicts under postmodern conditions. New York: Routledge. Kaplan, G. (2009). Executive guide to dispute management. Toronto: beard books.