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The democratization of peacebuilding: democratic exposure and externally democratic ideology of peacebuilding NGOs in Northern Ireland and Bosnia

Pushing the Boundaries: New Frontiersin Conflict Resolution and Collaboration

ISBN: 978-1-84855-290-6, eISBN: 978-1-84855-291-3

Publication date: 13 November 2008

Abstract

Democratization has become the prescription for peace in conflictual societies, but often stagnates in a political standoff or devolves back to war. Sustainable and effective democracy in these societies requires a citizenry which actively guides and pressures political leaders toward effective policy making for peace. But in societies with little or no democratic tradition, it takes time to develop the attitudes and organizations required. This study examines the relationship of democratic exposure to the development of the ideology of external political participation among peacebuilding NGOs. Using original field interview data, it compares the ideology of 28 peacebuilding NGOs in Northern Ireland to 37 in the less democratic context of Bosnia. The study examines the effects of exposure to democracy on “externally democratic ideology,” defined as an ideology of participation in the political processes of society external to the organization. Three aspects of exposure to democracy are examined: societal democratization, internal democracy in the NGO, and mentorship by outsiders from established democracies. The findings are that internal democracy is associated with externally democratic ideology, but outsider mentorship is not, even when controlling for dominating relationships, and neither is societal democracy, except indirectly via its effect on internal democracy. Implications for theory, policy, and future research are discussed.

Citation

Hemmer, B. (2008), "The democratization of peacebuilding: democratic exposure and externally democratic ideology of peacebuilding NGOs in Northern Ireland and Bosnia", Fleishman, R., Gerard, C. and O'Leary, R. (Ed.) Pushing the Boundaries: New Frontiersin Conflict Resolution and Collaboration (Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change, Vol. 29), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 71-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-786X(08)29004-X

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited