Resilient Social Contracts and Peace: Towards a Needed Reconceptualization

Abstract

This article makes the case for rethinking the social contract concept with attention to countries affected by conflict, fragility, and fraught transition. Inspired by related policy efforts and engaging scholarship across multiple disciplines, this piece and the multi-country research represented in this Special Issue aim to build the intellectual lineage of the concept. A conceptual framework and proposed heuristic device for enhancing policy and practice is presented. Five case studies and a thematic paper on inclusion are discussed with this in mind. Comparative findings and implications are assessed for how resilient social contracts aid the attaining and sustaining of peace.

Creating a Safe Space for Peaceful Coexistence Through National Sporting Events in South Sudan

“…To build the strong social contract necessary for state-building in a fragile state like South Sudan, McCandless (2018) points out that three drivers are needed, namely, an inclusive political settlement of the core conflict; an increase in effective, equitable, and inclusive institutions; and the expansion and deepening of social cohesion. In South Sudan, efforts to achieve the first two aims have been strengthened by donor support since independence.…”

Developmental Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Postindependence Nigeria: Lessons From Asian Developmental States

“…for peace to take root…issues of…structures of states, societies and economies need to be re-addressed. Moe and Geis (2020) engage hybridity and highlight interlinkages across the local, national, regional, and international, though reverting to minimalist readings of the state as shaped fundamentally by informal societal systems within incomplete state structures. McCandless’s (2020) work on social contracts and Albrecht (2017) take a more dynamic approach in engagement with the state (institutions) and its interaction with society, although not addressing extensively economic development concerns.…”

Forging Resilient Social Contracts and Sustaining Peace: Summary of Findings of New Comparative Research

“…Such efforts come at an important juncture in international affairs, as a wide policy consensus points to the dire need for greater attention to how we, as a global community, get better at understanding and preventing conflict and sustaining peace—notably by supporting nationally and locally led peace processes. Within this rising policy consensus, 1 leading policy institutions are heralding the notion of the social contract as a means to revitalise thinking and practise for transforming and preventing violent conflict and achieving and sustaining peace (McCandless, 2018).…”