In the opening part of this paper I will firstly discuss the concepts of peace and justice and the tension between them, theoretically through referring to the relevant literature. Secondly I will reflect on the role of interests from actors and their different definitions of peace. Thirdly I will explain what kind of implications this inherits for long-term peacebuilding. In the fourth part I will enrich the discussion through highlighting one example on the basis of my case study of the Chechen conflict.
The concepts of peace and justice are inseparably connected with each other in modern long-term peacebuilding. But why is this so? I will try to explain this through referring to the development of the concept of peace within the field of conflict resolution. Everything started with a very simple, though obvious and evident definition of peace. Fernando labels this the „traditional view which argued that peace is the absence of war.“ (Fernando 2000: 1). One terminological criticism is that the word „war“ as a extreme and specific type of violence does not take other forms of violence, like for example structural violence, into account. Although, as research shows, the victims of structural violence at least quantitatively are a lot higher, than those who suffer from direct violence as for example war. Therefore Galtung already in the late 1960s introduced the concept of a broader understanding of peace as the absence not only of war but „the terms 'peace' and 'violence' be linked to each other such that 'peace' can be regarded as 'absence of violence'“ (Galtung 1969: 168).
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Framework
2.1 Concepts of Peace and Justice
2.2 Interests and Peace Definitions of Actors
2.3 Implications for Long-term Peacebuilding
3. Case Study: The Chechen Conflict
3.1 State and Rebel Understandings of Peace
3.2 Challenges for Peacebuilding in Chechnya
4. Analysis of Conflict Resolution Strategies
4.1 Nonviolence in Ethnopolitics (Gurr)
4.2 Conflict Transformation through State Reform (Bächler)
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the complex interplay between the concepts of peace and justice in the context of long-term peacebuilding. By analyzing theoretical discourses and applying them to the case study of the Chechen conflict, the work aims to identify how diverging interests and definitions of peace among key actors impede sustainable conflict resolution and how these challenges can be addressed through multi-layered transformation strategies.
- The theoretical tension between traditional "negative" peace and "holistic" positive peace.
- The impact of actor-specific interests on the conceptualization of conflict and justice.
- The necessity of multi-layered approaches, including grassroots and mid-level actors, for sustainable peace.
- Empirical analysis of the Chechen conflict regarding state-rebel incompatibility.
- The role of state reform and non-violent strategies in transitioning from violent conflict to institutionalized dispute resolution.
Excerpt from the Book
The Chechen Conflict: Peace, Justice and Long Term Implications
The concepts of peace and justice are inseparably connected with each other in modern long-term peacebuilding. But why is this so? I will try to explain this through referring to the development of the concept of peace within the field of conflict resolution. Everything started with a very simple, though obvious and evident definition of peace. Fernando labels this the „traditional view which argued that peace is the absence of war.“ (Fernando 2000: 1). One terminological criticism is that the word „war“ as a extreme and specific type of violence does not take other forms of violence, like for example structural violence, into account. Although, as research shows, the victims of structural violence at least quantitatively are a lot higher, than those who suffer from direct violence as for example war.
Therefore Galtung already in the late 1960s introduced the concept of a broader understanding of peace as the absence not only of war but „the terms 'peace' and 'violence' be linked to each other such that 'peace' can be regarded as 'absence of violence'“ (Galtung 1969: 168). Another terminological critique comes from the theoretical string of constructivist thinking within social science. Scholars from those traditions of theoretical thinking refer to peace „...also as a social construction“ (Richmond 2005: 200). This kind of criticism can be linked to a criticism more content and less theoretically orientated that developed into an important criticism towards the traditional and narrow definition of peace.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the thematic focus on the tension between peace and justice, sets the methodological approach, and establishes the case study of the Chechen conflict as the empirical basis.
2. Theoretical Framework: This section explores the evolution of peace concepts from traditional "absence of war" to holistic "positive" peace, while emphasizing how institutional and actor-specific interests shape these definitions.
3. Case Study: The Chechen Conflict: This chapter contrasts the state's narrow security-oriented perspective on peace with the separatist movements' focus on self-determination, highlighting the resulting deadlock.
4. Analysis of Conflict Resolution Strategies: The final section applies the theories of Gurr and Bächler to the Chechen conflict, discussing the limitations of non-violent strategies in violent contexts and the necessity of state reform and horizontal legitimacy.
Keywords
Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, Chechen Conflict, Structural Violence, Positive Peace, Justice, Self-Determination, State Reform, Transformation Theory, Human Rights, Humanitarian Intervention, Asymmetrical Conflict, Legitimacy, Rule of Law, Security Sector Reform
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the inherent tensions between the concepts of peace and justice within the field of conflict resolution and how these contradictions affect long-term peacebuilding efforts.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Central themes include the definition of peace, the role of actor interests, the impact of structural violence, the necessity of multi-layered conflict transformation, and the specific challenges of internal separatist conflicts.
What is the primary research objective?
The primary goal is to analyze how conflicting ideas of peace and justice among key actors—specifically in the Chechen case—hinder sustainable resolutions and to propose theoretical frameworks for overcoming these barriers.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, combining literature review on conflict resolution theory with an empirical case study analysis of the Chechen conflict.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the theoretical discourse on peace concepts, the role of state and non-state actors in the Chechen conflict, and an application of Gurr's and Bächler's transformation theories to local realities.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, Chechen Conflict, Structural Violence, Positive Peace, and Transformation Theory.
How does the author define the contradiction in the Chechen case?
The contradiction is defined as the clash between the Russian state’s pragmatic, security-first perception of a "settled" conflict and the separatists' demand for independence based on their perceived right to self-determination.
What role does the "Rule of Law" play in the author's argument?
The author argues that the rule of law is an indispensable prerequisite for peace, as current human rights violations and the lack of democratic control over security forces exacerbate the conflict.
How does the author view the effectiveness of external intervention?
The author emphasizes that external actors must prioritize accountability and the education of local security forces, warning that mere military intervention often leads to new cycles of violence.
- Quote paper
- Ilyas Saliba (Author), 2009, The Chechen Conflict, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/139224
