Conflict resolution and peacekeeping: Critiques and responses

Wanted: A Mid-Range Theory of International Peacekeeping

“…As a consequence, Shearer (1997) suggested that what have been typified as “war lord insurgencies” may be especially resistant to resolution by mediation and negotiation. In this respect, Shearer’s analysis can be seen as a “direct challenge to some of the core assumptions and approaches of conflict resolution, which … are perceived to be ineffective, lacking in prescriptive guidelines for policy makers, and even positively harmful” (Woodhouse 2000:9).…”

“…In the first essay of the volume, Woodhouse (2000:8) argued that while the criticisms made by the three aforementioned scholars were constructive, “they tend to be inaccurate or superficial in their representation of the significance of conflict resolution theory and practice.” This is so “first in relation to lessons learned about the use of force and the relationship between UN peacekeeping and conflict resolution” and “second in relation to the nature of third‐party roles and the dynamics of peacebuilding from below” (Woodhouse 2000:8). More specifically, Woodhouse identified four important shortcomings of the aforementioned critiques of conflict resolution approaches.…”

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robust peacekeeping (with a capacity to enforce international agreements and to apply human rights standards, especially for noncombatants), linked to conflict resolution mechanisms, is a clear policy option for the international community, and it is one which is emerging from assessments made post‐1994 Rwanda and post‐1993 Somalia and Bosnia (Woodhouse 2000: 14).

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“…Secondly, most of the conflict resolution critiques have completely ignored the many examples of local level cross‐community peacebuilding work. As a consequence, Woodhouse (2000:8) warns that they “may encourage inactivity and paralysis in the face of what are perceived to be overwhelmingly powerful forces of global structural change, on which we can have no influence.”…”

Peacekeeping the Pacific Way in Bougainville

“…1 Even a cursory examination of material published since the late 1990s shows criticisms of the 'norms of western intervention' 2 and rebuttals, 3 pleas for more theoretical analysis, 4 calls for cultural issues to be explored, 5 discussion on intervention versus non-intervention, 6 ways that gender issues should be addressed, 7 the roles and practices of reconciliation, 8 and so on. The overall aim seems to be to bring some certainty to peacekeeping operations so that they can be undertaken with greater expectation of success.…”