Peacekeeping: A Civilian Perspective?

Abstract

How effective are peacekeeping operations in the prevention and stopping violence? Is there an alternative to militarized and multidimensional peacekeeping? Would totally civilian unarmed peace operation be the best alternative? These and many more questions feed the ongoing debate on peace operations and the possibility of some civilian alternatives to the current peace operations. This article is not a case for or against civilian peacekeeping, but rather an analysis of the developing theory on civilian peacekeeping, its relevance in the field of Conflict Resolution and its autonomy from the multidimensional peacekeeping championed by the UN and regional organizations. Written by a scholar of Peace and Conflict Research and having acquired practical experience both from UNPKOs and “civilian peacekeeping” missions, it gives practical and theoretical insights on peacekeeping, whether traditional, multidimensional or civilian.