EN
The article aims at exploring the significance of political negotiations for regulating group relations. The authoress wonders to what extent sociology can be useful for the understanding of what is actually occurring during negotiations. She attempts to present a multi-level analysis, taking into account both interactive characteristics as well as the influence of structural factors on negotiation processes. It is organized along the subsequent lines: initially elementary situations were discussed, in which only individuals participate. Next, the authoress presents negotiations of individuals in social networks, negotiations of group representatives, intergroup relations, and finally, the place of negotiation processes in democratic systems. The complex nature of a negotiation situation is noted by the participants, and it causes some decision-making dilemmas which, in turn, shape the situation in question. The analytical approach to this problem can assist in explaining the behavior of actors and the end results of the negotiation process.