CIVIL SOCIETY IN PEACEBUILDING - A Case Study Analysis of ...

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the political emancipation of citizens from former feudalistic ties, monarchy and the state during the 18 thand 19 th century. There is still a debate on whether these concepts of civil society are transferable totoday’s non-Western countries with different levels of democracy and economic structures (Lewis2002:67). Marginalized groups in particular need to be organized and find a way to articulate theirinterests.7.3 The Civil Society and Approaches to PeacebuildingThe importance of civil societies and its role within peacebuilding approaches and outcomesgenerated a heavy discourse after the Cold war (Edwards 2004:76) During this particular area, thenumber of armed conflicts also increased dramatically. In the aftermath of the Cold war, armed interstateconflicts decreased globally, while armed intra-state conflict increased dramatically (Edwards2004:98). During the 1990s, more than ninety percent of all existing armed conflicts were classified ascivil wars (Paris 2004:1). With the emergence of ethnic wars in Europe, Asia and Africa, the role of‘ethnicity’ became singled out as a contributing factor for armed conflict in the post Cold war era(Foreman 2003:1). The era led the international community and other actors in political science turntheir attention towards intra-state conflict resolution and management. With the fall of communism anda number of other coinciding changes, such as the emerge of new democracies, increased globalinteraction in a growingly insecure world, and a significant increase of NGOs globally, focus widelyturned towards the role of the civil society as an important factor or partner in intra-state peace buildingprocesses (Edwards 2004:2).The world anticipated that role of civil societies would be of central importance for the initiationand sustainability of peace processes. In short, numerous politicians, scholars and practitioners basicallysaw civil society and the whole concept of it as a societal sphere positioned between the individual andthe state in regard to which non-governmental and non-profit activities and values civility are practiced(Belloni 2001:168). As civil society widely was endorsed as a vital sphere for democratizationprocesses, the rule of law, and the respect for human rights was thereby anticipated that ethnicallydivided societies would achieve sustainable peace through civil society (Belloni 2001:63).16
7.3.1 The Civil Society and Post-conflict buildingPeacebuilding refers to the constructive steps taken to settle disagreements that prompt conflict inorder to bring lasting peace. Whether civil society organizations contribute to post-conflictpeacebuilding or exacerbate and perpetuate violence, conflicts and disagreements are dependent on thecreation and reproduction of social capital. Some civil organizations often undermine or deplete suchsocial resources in pursuit of particular or sectarian interests and therefore they are destroyers ratherthan builders of peace. It is for this reason, very important for civil society organizations whose activatesfoster respect, equality, trust, reciprocity, norms of cooperation and tolerance enhance constructive rolesin post-conflict peace building and in conflict-ridden societies (Edwards 2004:176). A stable peaceachievement is invariably the result of a win-win method of conflict resolution and consequently of theability to live side by side with one’s opponents in spite of difference. This is only possible in a situationwhich parties to a conflict are able and willing to empathize the plight and causes of their adversariesand when the needs of all parties in a conflict are satisfied. As long as the parties remain locked in azero-sum-game without any consideration to their needs, worries and interests of the other party, nopeace can be achieved. It is here where the critical role of civil society can play in building bridges ofcommunication, trust, respect, and recognition in pursuit of truth, justice, peace and forgiveness withoutbeing blinded by national, ethnic, religious, partisan or sectarian interests (Chazan 1992:98). Unlessthese core values are made the centrepiece of any process of reconciliation, no durable peace is possiblein any post-conflict or conflict-ridden societies.17
Page 2 and 3: AbstractThe importance of civil soc
Page 5: 1. IntroductionWith the dispassion
Page 9 and 10: 4. Purpose and research questionsTh
Page 11 and 12: 6. Method and materialWhen doing a
Page 13 and 14: 6.3 Critical approach to the source
Page 15: increase of ethnic, clan and faith-
Page 19 and 20: conflict. In order for peacemaking
Page 21 and 22: conflict. They are established to p
Page 23 and 24: economic and social networks. A min
Page 25 and 26: The lack of contact in between the
Page 27 and 28: structural changes in the society b
Page 29 and 30: 10. ConclusionThis concluding chapt
Page 31 and 32: Reference listAlvesson, Mats, Kaj S
Page 33: NSCC (2002) Inside Sudan, The Story

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