GSDRC newsfeed on Europe

Horizontal Inequality: Two Types of Trap

Frances Stewart — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Why do group inequalities often persist over the long term, and how can they be addressed? Group membership matters because well-being is affected both by individual circumstances and how well the group is doing. Strong complementarities among (1) capabilities and (2) capitals explain persistent group inequality. Multiple deprivations in capabilities and assets prevent catch-up without special interventions. Addressing HIs therefore requires governments to go beyond eliminating current, formal discrimination: the weak asset and capabilities base arising from past discrimination must also be tackled. As social and cultural capital inequalities cannot be eliminated by policy, strong affirmative action in other areas such as education and employment is justified.

Contested Lands: Israel-Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia, Cyprus, and Sri Lanka

Sumantra Bose — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

How can peace be made between warring groups with seemingly incompatible aims? The concluding chapter of this publication examines five case studies of recent peace processes in Israel-Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia, Cyprus and Sri Lanka in search of an answer. It argues that in order to resolve ethno-national conflicts, peace processes should address border issues directly, use third parties and adopt a fast-track approach to peacemaking.

In Search of the Textbook Mediator

Antonia Potter — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

While there has been a growing literature on conflict resolution and mediation, there are few studies that specifically examine the experience of individual mediators. This concluding book chapter examines the 'art' of mediation in armed conflict. Drawing on the experience of high-level mediators in Iraq, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Cyprus and Aceh, it argues that the character and actions of mediators are critical variables in determining the outcome of peace negotiations.

Ten Years of Media Support to the Balkans: An Assessment

Aaron Rhodes — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What has been the impact of ten years of the international community�s support to media in the Western Balkans? This report from the Media Task Force of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe analyses 37 existing evaluations of media support projects, and makes recommendations for the future. In spite of mixed results, the impact of media assistance has been substantial. Donors should consider the development of the wider media market instead of sustaining too many individual media outlets. Projects should help NGOs work with lawyers to understand and use new laws once reforms have been passed.

Election Campaigns, Partisan Balance, and the News Media

Holli Semetko — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

What is the impact of partisan balance in the news media during elections in democracies and societies in transition? This book chapter from the World Bank examines the impact of balance and bias in the news media on public opinions, political behaviour and, ultimately, on election outcomes. Drawing on case studies of recent elections in Kenya, Russia, Mexico and Turkey, it argues that the media, particularly television, plays a key role in influencing election processes.

Supporting Public Service Broadcasting: Learning from Bosnia and Herzegovina�s Experience

United Nations Development Programme — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT

How can the reform of broadcasting media help to promote democratic governance, conflict prevention and poverty reduction? What can be learned from the implementation of such reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina? This UNDP paper argues that public service broadcasting (PSB) can play a key role in promoting democratic governance and reducing poverty. However, broadcasting reform can only produce results at the same pace as democratic evolution in a given country, and should be integrated into broader democratic governance reform. Reformers need a strategic plan and a focus on the enabling legislative and regulatory framework.

A New Approach to Post Conflict Reconstruction

Fredrik Galtung and Martin Tisné — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How can post-war reconstruction support democratisation and prevent the early entrenchment of corruption? This study published in the Journal of Democracy examines democracy assistance in eight countries recovering from war: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mozambique, the Palestinian Authority, Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste. It argues that citizens need to be involved in the allocation of the public resources that affect their lives. Community-driven accountability can stem corruption and re-engage people in the democratic process. Such measures can begin in the earliest post-war stages, building on local skills and resources.

International Prosecutions and Domestic Politics: The Use of Truth Commissions as Compromise Justice in Serbia and Croatia

Brian Grodsky — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What are the effects of external pressures for international prosecutions on transitional justice in post-conflict states? This article from the International Studies Review explores the impact of the internationalisation of criminal justice on domestic transitional justice efforts. Domestic political elites may find themselves sandwiched between international pressure for justice and constituent non-elite pressure against it. The experience of truth commissions in Serbia and Croatia between 2000 and 2005 illustrates the �compromise justice� that may result, weakening justice mechanisms and making post-conflict reconciliation less likely.

Society in State-building: Lessons in Improving Democratic Governance - Synthesis Report

Edward Bell — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What is the best way to promote democratic governance in fragile and conflict-affected countries? By directing attention to interactions between state and society, this Initiative for Peacebuilding report aims to help external agencies and conflict-affected societies generate a culture of democratic politics. Drawing on analyses of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia and Pakistan, the paper recommends using the potential that is inherent in all development assistance to improve governance. This includes using the processes for defining development strategies to widen and deepen ownership by society as a whole.

Ethno-Religious Conflicts: Exploring the Role of Religion in Conflict Resolution

S. A. Kadayifci-Orellana — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How can the religious texts, values and beliefs used to incite conflict be harnessed to promote peace-building and reconciliation? What contributions can faith-based actors make to conflict resolution? This chapter from the SAGE Handbook of Conflict Resolution examines the ways in which religion can be used to inspire both war and peace. The revival of religiously motivated conflicts, and the increasing involvement of religious actors in resolving them, requires understanding of their dynamics.

Examining Conditional Cash Transfer Programmes: A Role for Increased Social Inclusion?

Benedicte de la Briere, Laura B. Rawlings — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Conditional Cash Transfer programmes (CCTs) provide money to poor families, contingent on specific verifiable actions such as children's school attendance or preventative health care. How successful are CCTs in addressing social inclusion and inter-generational poverty? What is their impact on social accountability relationships between beneficiaries, service providers and governments? This summary focuses on the Social Inclusion section in a World Bank paper. While CCTs hold promise, they are not a panacea against social exclusion. They should form part of comprehensive social and economic policy strategies and be applied carefully in different policy contexts.

Reconciliation as a Peace-Building Process: Scope and Limits

Valerie Rosoux — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How is reconciliation understood? What is its role in peacebuilding? This chapter from the SAGE Handbook of Conflict Resolution surveys the study of reconciliation and analyses the Franco-German and South African cases. While not universally applicable models, these two examples hold lessons for both the scope and limitations of reconciliation. Reconciliation has too many ambiguities and shortcomings to serve as the key concept in peacemaking and stabilisation.

Social Exclusion, Social Isolation and the Distribution of Income

Brian Barry — Thu, 01 Jan 1998 00:00:00 GMT

While social exclusion is unquestionably closely associated with poverty, is it inextricably linked? Can a community marked by significant inequalities of power and status still be socially integrated? This paper from the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion discusses the relationships between social exclusion, justice and solidarity, with a particular focus on class systems within the USA and Britain. Despite varying income distribution, government policies targeting inequality and favouring social solidarity can promote an integrated society.

Assessing Women's Political Party Programs: Best Practices and Recommendations

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can policymakers increase women's political participation in developing countries? The National Democratic Institute (NDI) explores this issue by analysing the progress of its women�s political participation programmes in Morocco, Indonesia, Serbia, and Nepal. While there is a definite increase in women�s participation, there has not been a corresponding increase in the number of female political leaders. Future programming must focus on preparing women to take on these leadership roles.

Dealing with the Past in the Context of Ethnonationalism. The Case of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia

Ivana Franovic — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What is the role of ethnonationalism in hindering sustainable peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia, and how can it be addressed? This paper, published by the Berghof Research Centre for Constructive Conflict Management, argues that ethnonationalism complicates the peacebuilding process by preventing reconciliation and allowing individuals to blame entire ethnic groups. Three steps are needed to pursue the twin, interrelated goals of both dealing with the past constructively and furthering peacebuilding in the region: (1) public acknowledgment; (2) deconstructing the myth of ethnic war; and (3) reconstructing identities and de-victimisation.

Militarized Law Enforcement in Peace Operations: EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cornelius Friesendorf and Susan E. Penksa — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What are the causes and problems of militarised law enforcement in peace operations? How can these be addressed? This paper from International Peacekeeping examines the role of the European Union Force (EUFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). While the military can contribute to law enforcement, such involvement is generally hindered by fear of 'mission creep' and lack of preparedness. Preferable alternatives to military involvement (such as international civil police forces collaborating with local officials) are obstructed by lack of political will. Law enforcement should be addressed early and systematically by the deployment of robust forces that avoid excessive use of force.

Can Development Prevent Conflict? Integrated Area-Based Development in the Western Balkans

Rastislav Vrbensky — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How successful is the area based development approach (ABD) in contributing to conflict prevention and linking reconstruction and development? This article from Conflict, Security & Development discusses the strengths and limitations of the approach, drawing on two ABD programmes in South and Southwest Serbia. It argues that although ABD is often effective in responding to complex conflict characteristics on sub-national levels, under its current conceptualisation, it responds ineffectively to the full complexity of issues related to conflict and development on multiple levels.

The Need for Multi-Dimensional Youth Work: Education, Interethnic Networking and Income Generation

Martina Fischer — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

How can youth in postconflict societies become a catalyst for positive change? This research from the Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management gives an overview of the challenges facing youth work in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It presents the �Young People Build the Future� project, which uses a multidimensional approach to try to meet some of these challenges. An integrated combination of initiatives that provide training, empowerment, peace education, vocational training and income generation opportunities is essential.

The Process of Social Exclusion: The Dynamics of an Evolving Concept

Hilary Silver — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What is social exclusion and is it a more useful concept for tackling disadvantage than poverty? This paper from the Chronic Poverty Research Centre documents some of the mechanisms of individuals� downward spiral, with the accumulation of dimensions of exclusion. The study of social exclusion aims to transcend poverty�s narrow focus on monetary or material resource distribution. Exclusion as a process of progressive social rupture is a more comprehensive and complex conceptualisation of social disadvantage.

Training for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation: Experiences of the Centre for Nonviolent Action in the Western Balkans

Nenad Vukosavljevic — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

What are the effects and challenges of training for peacebuilding and non-violent action? This paper draws on experiences of the work of the Centre for Nonviolent Action (CNA) in the Western Balkans. CNA is a peace organisation driven by local activists that focuses on cross-border activities. There is no recipe for designing effective training but the content of training must match reality. The quality of the training depends on the trainer team?s sense of what is right and fair.