Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the sustainability of peacebuilding through DDR implementation, and the merit of adopting post-liberal peacebuilding approaches to practical interventions in a “New Wars” era, and rapidly changing conflict landscape. It focuses on the evolution of DDR as a response to changing conflict dynamics and as an integral component for peace processes and peacebuilding efforts, amidst a changing theoretical narrative on peacebuilding. As such, it seeks to answer the following questions: Can the theoretical shift to post-liberal peacebuilding invigorate localized peacebuilding processes, and thus reshape the tools applied to become more effective in achieving sustainable peace? Consequently, how can DDR processes lead to more sustainable peacebuilding, from a post-liberal and adaptive peacebuilding lens?

As such, it tries to measure the sustainability factors of peacebuilding, specifically after the implementation of DDR in (post-)conflict settings. The argument is based on the premise that the more localized (+participatory) and contextualized DDR processes are, specifically with regards to the reintegration component, the more sustainable peacebuilding will be. To test this hypothesis, it is imperative to first trace the shift in peacebuilding paradigms within the relevant literature, from liberal to post-liberal, signifying how post-liberal and adaptive peacebuilding premised on contextualized and participatory approaches can lead to more sustainable peace. After which, a deep dive into how DDR as a tool of these peacebuilding paradigms is implemented is examined using two different cases with a history of DDR attempts: Colombia and Liberia. This examination sheds light on how nuanced, contextualized and innovative DDR processes (those embedded in community needs and priorities from a post-liberal peacebuilding lens) may lead to more sustainable peacebuilding efforts as opposed to more formal DDR processes grounded in liberal peacebuilding approaches.

School

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

Political Science Department

Degree Name

MA in Political Science

Graduation Date

Summer 6-15-2023

Submission Date

6-12-2023

First Advisor

Bahgat Korany

Committee Member 1

Sean Lee

Committee Member 2

Marco Pinfari

Extent

136 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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