Challenges of Liberal Peace and Statebuilding in Divided Societies

Conflict Trends, Issue 4, 2016

8 Pages Posted: 11 Apr 2017

Date Written: Fenruary 26, 2016

Abstract

This article critically evaluates the assumptions and values of liberal peace on statebuilding by situating it within the current debate in peace studies. I will focus specifically on one of the key assumptions in liberal peace literature that peace is necessarily the outcome of liberal democracy, market-based economic reforms and the formation of institutions associated with modern states. A case study from east Africa illustrates this paradigm. The main question is: What are the challenges to liberal peace in postcolonial African contexts? To interrogate the paradigm underpinning liberal peace, I will focus on recent statebuilding activities in South Sudan.

Keywords: Liberal Peace, Statebuilding, Divided Societies, South Sudan, nation failure, state failure, war, fragility of the state

Suggested Citation

Zambakari, Christopher, Challenges of Liberal Peace and Statebuilding in Divided Societies (Fenruary 26, 2016). Conflict Trends, Issue 4, 2016, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2950864

Christopher Zambakari (Contact Author)

The Zambakari Advisory, LLC ( email )

P.O. Box 18691
Phoenix, AZ ARIZONA (AZ) 85005
United States
6026709326 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.zambakari.org/

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