Co-operation, Contestation and Complexity in Post-Conflict Security Sector Reform

Abstract

Security Sector Reform (SSR) remains a key feature of peacebuilding interventions and is usually undertaken by a state alongside national and international partners. External actors engaged in SSR tend to follow a normative agenda that often has little regard for the context in post-conflict societies. Despite recurrent criticism, SSR practices of international organisations and bilateral donors often remain focused on state institutions, and often do not sufficiently attend to alternative providers of security or existing normative frameworks of security. This article provides a critical overview of existing research and introduces the special issue on 'Co-operation, Contestation and Complexity in Post-Conflict Security Sector Reform'. We explore three aspects that add an important piece to the puzzle of what constitutes effective SSR. First, the variation of norm adoption, norm contestation and norm imposition in post-conflict countries that might explain the mixed results in terms of peacebuilding. Second, the multitude of different security actors within and beyond the state which often leads to multiple patterns of cooperation and contestation within reform programmes. And third, how both the multiplicity of and tension between norms and actors further complicate efforts to build peace or, as complexity theory would posit, influence the complex and non-linear social system that is the conflict-affected environment.

Violent behaviour on construction sites: structural equation modelling of its impact on unsafe behaviour using partial least squares

“…In a review conducted by Reddy et al (2018), it was revealed that workplace violence in the form of victimisation directed at educators appear across all levels of education and is present in almost every country as well. Violence within the domestic and security sectors are also well reported in literature (Ansorg and Gordon, 2018;Ahmad et al, 2016). Like other sectors, the construction sector is seen to be associated with violence which may appear in different forms.…”

Introduction: Operationalisation of Hybrid Peacebuilding in Asia

“…: 3). By applying complexity theory to the security sector reform, a particular field of peacebuilding, Ansorg and Gordon (2019: 2) examined the multitude of different actors within and beyond the state, and identified complex patterns of co-operation and contestation within reform initiatives. They concluded that the multiplicity of norms and actors complicated efforts to build peace (ibid.).…”

Addressing the security needs of adolescent girls in protracted crises: Inclusive, responsive, and effective?

“…Similarly, literature on local ownership in SSR illuminates the value of inclusive approaches to programming in crisis situations. While there also remains a gap between policy and practice (Ansorg & Gordon, 2019;Gordon, 2014), inclusive and participatory approaches are now broadly recognized as being critical to responsive and thus successful SSR programs and broader peacebuilding efforts (Donais, 2018;Gordon, 2014; International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding, 2011;Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2007;United Nations, 2008). Such approaches are regarded as fundamental to public trust and confidence in the programs and their implementing organizations.…”

“…Clearly, there remains a wide gap between policy and practice on inclusive and responsive approaches to crisis (Ansorg & Gordon, 2019;Brown & Donini, 2014; International Committee of the Red Cross and Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, 2018). Where inclusion is advanced, it is often limited and tokenistic in terms of scope (Mobekk, 2010).…”