Civil Society and Peacebuilding: Critical Review

Abstract

This entry provides a critical review of civil society's relationship with peacebuilding. It assesses both aspects concerning the negative and positive contributions of civil society to peacebuilding and conflict-torn societies. Drawing on extensive research and supporting examples, the analysis suggests clearly that civil society actors and organizations have the power to support peacebuilding processes. However, as this study also indicates, civil society players can play a negative role by contributing to conflict and undermining peacebuilding prospects. In addition, this entry ends with key observations at the practice and research level in the area of civil society peacebuilding. These key observations highlight significant issues, including (a) the lack of agreed civil society concepts and the contradictory frameworks of civil society resistance and liberal civil society; (b) the contention of peacebuilding definitions in theory and practice; (c) the increasing policy recognition of the important role of civil society local actors in conflict and peacebuilding processes; (d) the growing dilemmas in engaging with conflict situations and armed groups by civil society organizations; and (e) the centrality of the negative and positive roles of civil society in understanding the relationship between civil society and peacebuilding. This entry proposes a serious consideration of these policy and research observations within the broader context of conceptualizing and improving the practice of civil society peacebuilding.