by Anna Jarstad (Editor), Johanna Söderström (Editor), Malin Åkebo (Editor)
This book presents a new approach for studying peace beyond the absence of war. As war ends, the varying nature of the peace that ensues has been the object of much debate. Through in-depth case studies, including Cyprus, Cambodia, South Africa, Abkhazia, Transnistria/Russia, Colombia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Myanmar, the book illustrates how conceptualising 'relational peace' provides a framework that can be applied across cases and actors, different levels of analysis, a variety of geographical contexts and using different temporal perspectives and types of data. This novel framework enables improved empirical studies of peace. The book contributes nuanced understandings of peace in particular settings and demonstrates the multifaceted nature of peaceful relations - what is termed 'relational peace practices' - making important contributions to the field of studying peace beyond the absence of war.
Back Jacket
Relational peace practices provides a novel framework and tools for studying peace beyond the absence of war.
Relational peace entails non-domination, deliberation, and cooperation between actors who recognize and trust each other, viewing their relationship as one between fellows or friends. Applying this framework contributes nuanced understandings of peace and reveals the multifaceted nature of peaceful relations. Analyzing several sites - Cyprus, Cambodia, South Africa, Abkhazia, Transnistria/Russia, Colombia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Myanmar - the volume demonstrates that studying how actors conceive of their relationships is key for analyzing the nature of peace and revealing its dynamic and processual character. Each case study also makes a unique contribution to specific literatures, such as civil-military relations, frozen peacebuilding, nation-building, mediation, arts-based peacebuilding initiatives, post-war elite studies, ideational analysis, and post-Soviet studies and everyday peace.Author Biography
Anna Jarstad is a Professor in political science at the University of Uppsala
Johanna Söderström is a Senior Lecturer in political science at the University of Uppsala
Malin Åkebo is a Lecturer in peace and conflict studies at Umeå University