This book examines the transformation of the discourse and praxis of peace, from its early beginnings in the literature on war and power, to the development of intellectual and theoretical discourses of peace, contrasting this with the development of practical approaches to peace, and examining the intellectual and policy evolution regarding peace.

'The importance of this book lies in its forensic approach to the 'liberal peace' advocated by most contemporary diplomats, NGOs, academics and negotiators. The book carries the intellectual and policy debate beyond the process of peacemaking to 'the implicit concepts of peace and their usages.' - John Darby, Professor of Comparative Ethnic Studies, Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame, USA

'A good theoretical starting point for any student or professional looking for operational conceptualizations of peace [...] a call for a research agenda into the concept of peace and its nature [... and] a worthwhile addition to [the] curriculum.' - History, Society and Culture

'...the most theoretically powerful critique of the liberal peace of recent years' - Millennium - Journal of International Studies

Autorentext
OLIVER P. RICHMOND is a Professor in International Relations and Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of St. Andrews, UK.

Inhalt
List of Figures Acknowledgements Abstract Preface Introduction PART I: APPROACHES TO PEACE Towards the Liberal Peace Towards Peace-as-Governance Towards the Peacebuilding Consensus PART II: CONSTRUCTING THE LIBERAL PEACE Constructing the Liberal Peace from Below Constructing the Liberal Peace from Above PART III: REFLECTING ON THE CONCEPTS OF PEACE Conceptualizing Peace Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index