Building
positive peace involves more than being against war and violence but developing
a context that fosters a just and sustainable peace. However, various actors of
peace-building offers different viewpoints and agendas in accomplishing a just-peace
society. In fact, peace studies is a
multidisciplinary field that encompasses various perspectives and approaches,
and thus, the overarching goal of building a just and sustainable peace
requires integrating the various fields and activities under one conceptual
framework (Schrich, 2004, p. 6). In the book, The Little Book of Strategic
Peace-building by Lisa Schirch, she purported to establishing foundational and
methods “to promote the concept of just-peace as an overall goal or vision for
peace-building” (Schrich, 2004, p. 6). More specifically, she proposes to set forth
practical strategies and long term objectives for building peace that are
applicable across various conflict contexts and cultures, thoughtful decision
making, and integrating various actors and approaches to peace-building
(Schrich, 2004). To conclude, the purpose of this book critique is to
summarize, analyze, and evaluate the general nature of the work written by Lisa
Schirch.
Summary of the Book
The
author begins by explaining there is lack of consensus and uniformity from
proponents, critics, and confused onlookers in using the term peace-building
(Schirch, 2004, p. 8). For this reason, Schirch proposed to dispel these
misconceptions and meaning of peace-building and how the approach can be
applied more effectively and consistently. Furthermore, she discussed the
values for peace-building and how these principles relate to human needs and
human rights. She notes conflicts arise naturally in every arena of daily life,
even in the field of peace-building. Therefore, the author focused on
relational skills that “allow people to address conflict in constructive ways”
(Schirch, 2004, p. 18).
Next,
the author provides an analysis for peace-building and explains the significance
of understanding local context. She
points out how conflict affects the context and the connections between causes
of conflict and all forms of violence (Schirch, 2004, p. 21-22). Central to
understanding the analysis of conflict and violence, Schirch explains the
relevance of nonviolent tactics for waging conflict and reducing direct
violence (Schirch, 2004 p. 30-34). In this assessment, she explores the
principles of transforming relationships and provides information about a
variety of transformative approaches to conflict (Schirch, 2004, p. 46). Finally,
the author concludes by addressing capacity building as a way to meet the long
term challenges of sustainable peace, strategic design of peace-building, and
evaluating and coordinating peace-building.
Book Analysis
The
Little Book of Strategic Peace-building attempts to bring together various
fields of peace under one theoretical umbrella and “provide a more unified and
strategic vision of peace-building” (Schirch, 2004, p. 7). As a matter of fact,
the author’s rationale is to assist in improving knowledge in the field and the
ability to address “violence while bringing about long-term structural change”
(Schirch, 2004, p. 7). Therefore, Schirch clearly points out there is a lack of
clarity and agreement of the meaning of peace-building in the field. She
contends the different conceptions and meaning of peace-building has created
confusion and formed barriers between supporters, critics, and those interested
in learning more about the field of peace-building (Schirch, 2004, p. 8). Specifically,
Schirch states, there are those who describe peace as something that happens
after war, others as a new way to advancing development with a focus on
peace-building, and still others as “a rational and psychological process or
use it interchangeably with the idea of conflict transformation” (Schirch,
2004, p. 8). Thus, Schirch provided an
overview on how the field originated and explored the myths and meanings of
peace-building (Schirch, 2004, p. 6).
According
to Schirch, the field of peace-building developed in response “to severe cases
of violence, widespread and growing poverty, increase crime, racism, and
oppression; violence against women, and wars like the ones in Liberia or
Colombia, where ethnic, ideological and class divisions are fueled by a
thriving global arms trade” (Schirch, 2004, p. 8). Additionally, the author does not only discuss
the development of the field, but expounds on how peace-building is addressing
the problem by seeking “to prevent, reduce, transform relationships at all
levels of society and helping people recover from violence in all forms”
(Schirch, 2004, p.8- 9). Consequently, the author clearly developed a common
understanding of peace-building and how it originates by acknowledging the
different contexts that are applicable across multidisciplinary fields.
However, Schirch made no statement to what field she based her philosophy from,
but it is noted in her biography that she holds a Ph.D. in conflict analysis
and resolution, an associate professor of peace-building, and has fifteen years
of experience consulting with a network of strategic partnering organizations
involved in peace-building activities (Schirch, 2004, p. 89).
By
the same token, Schirch caution that “peace does not just happen” but requires
thoughtful decision-making, problem-solving, and “ongoing analysis of the
conflict and local context” (Schirch, 2004, p. 4). She also notes it involves “coordinating
different actors and activities in all stages of conflict and at all levels of
society” (Schirch, 2004, p. 9). At the same time, the author eliminated any
misconceptions of peace-building and constructs a positive framework for peace
with justice. She accomplished this goal by refuting the notion that “peace-building
is not idealistic”, provided understanding that “peace-building is not the same
as conflict transformation, and acknowledged that “peace-building is not only
for post-war societies” (Schirch, 2004, p. 9-10). Moreover, she clarified the perception that
peace-building was not “based primarily on Western ideas, and”peace-building
does not avoid conflict or ignore structural forms of violence and injustice”
(Schirch, 2004, p.9-10). All things considered, the author did set the stage of
illustrating there are many approaches to peace-building through a connecting
space or nexus for collaboration. Therefore, she does not alienate those who
subscribe to different philosophies and approaches to peace-building but
acknowledge that each approach offers a unique contribution to the field as
well as compliments other approaches (Schirch, 2004, p. 11).
Next,
Schirch discussed the ideology of peace-building was developed out of a set of
values (Schirch, 2004, p. 13). She furthers explains a person’s value system
influences all decision-making and thus “people begin building peace by
reflecting on how their lives and choices impact others” (Schirch, 2004, p.
13). The author also asserts those who embrace the values of peace-building
recognize the goals are meeting human needs and protecting human rights
(Schirch, 2004, p.13). With this in mind, Schirch (2004) clearly and concisely
conveyed both the purpose and values of peace-building by stating
“peace-building values the quality and sustainability of life. Peace-building
aims to create societies that affirm human dignity through meeting human needs
and protecting human rights. Peace-building also has a responsibility to
protect the environment” (Schirch, 2004, p. 13). Accordingly, she intentionally
set out to shape every person’s understanding of what peace-building plans to
accomplish and provides a guide to help people make critical decisions that
affect the direction of the peace-building movement.
Pursuing
this further, the author continues to build on the principles of peace-building
by providing a framework for human needs and human rights. Schirch (2004)
explains when human needs and right are suppressed, conflict occurs as people
pursue liberty and security. Therefore, the objective of “peace-building is
about increasing the number of nonviolent options people believe they have to
satisfy their needs and helping them choose the least violent options’
(Schirch, 2004, p. 16). She states those
options are accomplished by utilizing the concepts of justice, just-peace, and
human security, which are expressed values of peace-building (Schirch, 2004, p.
16). Hence, the author strategically
promotes the values for peace-building outlined in her book, and claims individuals
and organizations can use these values to make decisions and assess their
efforts in the field (Schirch, 2004, p. 17).
Additionally,
the author notes the relevance of values of peace-building, but proclaims values
alone are not enough. Relational skills are another element to consider. In
fact, conflict is an inevitable part of any relationship such as conflict between
armed groups, organizations, and communities. What is problematic however, is
how the conflict is handled. Therefore, Schirch (2004) offers constructive ways
to addressing conflict in relationship by utilizing approaches from the field
of conflict transformation, restorative justice, and trauma healing (Schirch,
2004, p. 18-20). To emphasize the importance of the relational dynamics and
methods, Schirch (2004) used an illustration of a table with three legs to show
that “right relationships require three interrelated support processes”, which
are “healing trauma, transforming conflict, and doing justice” (Schirch, 2004, p.
46). Not only does the author mention there are many processes and methods to
achieving the table with the three legs, but she provides a brief overview of those
approaches such as dialogue, mediation, training, principled negotiation and
restorative justice.
Consequently,
the author also discussed three additional approaches required in
peace-building which are waging conflict nonviolently, reducing direct violence
and building capacity. Schirch (2004) explains that nonviolent conflict is not a
passive act, but an effective way “to raise public awareness and sympathy,
increase understanding of how groups in conflict are interdependent, and
balance power by convincing or coercing others to accept the needs or desires
of all involved” (Schirch, 2004, p. 28). Interestingly, the author notes people
use nonviolent actions for different reason (Schirch, 2004, p. 29). For
example, she points out there are some who views nonviolent actions as
effective means because it is less expensive than violence, others as a “weapon
for the poor”, and those that sees it as a “morally superior method of
struggle” (Schirch, 2004, p. 29). Although people have various views for using
nonviolent means, the author offers strategies for waging nonviolent conflict
such as aikido principle, monitoring and advocacy, protest and persuasion, non-cooperation
and interventions (Schirch, 2004, p. 28-33).
Nevertheless,
Schirch (2004) states, “nonviolent conflict alone cannot build peace” but it
requires the reduction of direct violence and building capacity as the
additional part of the equation (Schirch, 2004, 33-34). Accordingly, the author
explains, the focus of reducing direct violence is to “interrupt the cycle of
violence and lay the foundation for further peace-building in three ways: preventing
victimization, restraining offenders, and creating safe space” (Schirch, 2004, p.35).
Furthermore, Schirch (2004) asserts reducing direct violence should be
constructed on the ideals of human security and just-peace (Schirch, 2004, p.
44).
On
the other hand, capacity building is another important component in creating “a
capacity for a culture of just-peace” (Schirch, 2004, p. 56). According to the
author, capacity building involves “long-term planning, creating constructive
relationship patterns between people and their environment, and developing the
human resources and abilities to meet human needs for many generations”
(Schirch, 2004, 56-57). Therefore, the principle goal for building capacity is
sustainability through activities ranging from “training and education,
development, transformation, and conversion of military structures to focus on
human security and research and evaluation” (Schirch, 2004, 57). Consequently, Schirch effectively summarize
these concepts and provided essential practices to addressing violence and
strengthening efforts to meet the challenges of a sustainable peace.
Finally,
Schirch (2004) realized that “planting the seed of peace requires strategy” (Schirch,
2004, p. 63). Therefore, she offers analytical tools for strategic designing in
peace-building that concentrate on decisions making which considers the what,
who, when, where and how (Schirch, 2004, p. 63). With that said, the author
purposed to offer an approach that produce action and help peace-builders make
strategic decisions that focus on the future. Furthermore, she recommends
coordination and evaluation for organizations and programs “to ensure that they
are not doing harm and are using resources wisely, create tools that adequately
measure movement toward peace” and ” coordinating and planning that “pull the
strategic what, who, when, where and how together into a comprehensive peace-building
plan (Schirch, 2004, 82-83). In essence, Schirch advocates the merit of evaluation
and coordination for organizations and programs in order to strengthen the
quality of peace-building, improve outcomes, and demonstrate to the worthiness
of just-peace.
Conclusion
The
objectives and purpose of the book seem very clear. As the title of the book
suggested, this is a condensed, accessible, and practical book that provides
peace-building strategies for practitioners, students, and those who are
interested in the field. The book aims to give a cohesive meaning of
peace-building and build a framework and a vision for peace with justice.
Overall, the book was informative and established clear techniques and methods
that could help people develop values and attitudes that nurture a culture of
peace and non-violence. Consequently, this book by Schirch is beneficial to the
field of peace-building and will improve practices and influence those who
support sustainable peace, justice, and human rights.
Reference
Schirch,
Lisa (2004). The Little Book of Strategic Peacebuilding. Intercourse, PA: Good
Books.
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