Peace Figuration after International Intervention Intentions, Events and Consequences of Liberal Peacebuilding Routledge Studies in Intervention and Statebuilding Series

This book examines the adverse impacts of liberal peacebuilding in conflict-affected societies.

It introduces ?peace figuration? as a new analytical framework for studying the intentionality, performativity, and consequences of liberal peacebuilding. The work challenges current theories and views and searches for alternative non-conflicted research avenues that are suitable for understanding how peacebuilding intentions are made, how different events shape peace outcomes, and what are the consequences of peacebuilding interventions. Drawing on detailed case studies of peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Timor-Leste, the book argues that attempts to build peace often fail to achieve the intended outcomes. A figurational view of peacebuilding interventions shows that post-conflict societies experience multiple episodes of success and failure in an unpredictable trajectory. This book develops a relational sociology of peacebuilding impact, which is crucial for overcoming static measurement of peacebuilding successes or failures. It shows that international interventions can shape peace but, importantly, not always in the shape they intended.

This book will be of much interest to students of statebuilding, peacebuilding, war and conflict studies, security studies and IR.

1. Introduction: Figuring out peace

Part I: Foundations of Peace Figuration

2. How do we know peace? Rethinking Liberal and Critical Epistemologies of Peacebuilding

3. Peace Figuration: Towards a New Framework for Analysis

Part II: Peace Figuration in Practice

4. Peace Figuration in Bosnia and Herzegovina

5. Peace Figuration in Kosovo

6. Peace Figuration in Timor-Leste

7. At Peace’s End: Disfiguring the Impact of Liberal Peacebuilding

Gëzim Visoka is a Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at Dublin City University, Ireland.