The calculus of peace and conflict: a contractualist perspective
International Journal of Conflict Management
ISSN: 1044-4068
Article publication date: 9 July 2021
Issue publication date: 27 July 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Intractable conflict is a long-time violent and self-perpetuating crisis. The peacemaking revolution has the potential to stop the destructive dynamic of the conflict. The purpose of this paper is to present a contractualist model of a peacemaking revolution and its theoretical foundations. It analyzes the revolutionary peacemaking process in Northern Ireland during the 1990s in light of the contractualist model.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a contractualist model to describe the interplay between leaders (policymakers) and people (public opinion) and its impact on the strategy to cope with situations of intractable conflict. The paper includes theoretical background and a case study analysis.
Findings
The peacemaking revolution is a process of dynamic equilibrium between peacemaking policy and public expectations for change. It progresses from one point of equilibrium to the next.
Originality/value
The paper intends to add a fresh perspective to the study of the peacemaking revolution, in general, and the interplay between peacemaking policy and public support in particular. It points out that a consensus-building process, which combines political-elite diplomacy and public diplomacy, has the potential to create the conditions for a peacemaking revolution. Political-elite diplomacy offers diplomatic channels for leaders to begin a peace process, support it and conclude agreements. Public diplomacy offers instruments to involve the people in the peacemaking efforts, prepare them for a change and motivate the leaderships to conclude agreements.
Keywords
Citation
Handelman, S. (2021), "The calculus of peace and conflict: a contractualist perspective", International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol. 32 No. 4, pp. 673-696. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-11-2020-0191
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited