Achieving Post-Conflict Stability Through Civil Society

1 Pages Posted: 16 Jun 2015

See all articles by Mariel Leonard

Mariel Leonard

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: June 17, 2015

Abstract

Wars of identity are statistically of longer duration and have a smaller likelihood of successful resolution than ideology- or economics-driven wars (Doyle and Sambinis 2000), due to the use of identity as a means of determining trust-worthiness and security during conflict. This dynamic continues during the peace-building process, as ethnic entrepreneurs are often specifically invited to the negotiation table. The elevation of these actors, often discredited based on their past involvement in the conflict, exacerbates distrust and institutionalizes communal wedges that reignite violently. The question becomes, once sectarian relations have broken down so far as to allow for widespread, indiscriminate violence, how do groups reestablish positive, trusting interactions?

Broadening the state-building understanding of institutions and of civil society development presents a solution to the instability and fear rampant following identity-based conflict. Civil society is rightly presented as the best option, however, civil society development as it is currently understood focuses on the facts of civil society, rather than on its mechanisms. This omission sees civil society as a 'black box,' from which trust automatically emerges, instead of actively seeking to build social capital. Emerging research demonstrates that associational life (e.g. social and professional networks) is the best, and perhaps only, means by which sustainable social capital may be developed between distrustful sectarian groups. By building associational networks and the ties of social capital connecting them, safe interaction is regularized, violence is de-normalized, and institutional participation are strengthened.

Keywords: civil society, communities of practice, CoPs, conflict resolution, networks

Suggested Citation

Leonard, Mariel, Achieving Post-Conflict Stability Through Civil Society (June 17, 2015). Political Networks Workshops & Conference 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2619195

Mariel Leonard (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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