Realizing Peace
A Constructive Conflict Approach
Published on 16. April 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-0-19-022867-5 (ISBN)
Description
Early work in conflict resolution and peace research focused on why wars broke out, why they persisted, and why peace agreements failed to endure. Later research has focused on what actions and circumstances have actually averted destructive escalations, stopped the perpetuation of destructive conduct, produced a relatively good conflict transformation, or resulted in an enduring and relatively equitable relationship among former adversaries. This later research, which began in the 1950s, recognizes that conflict is inevitable and is often waged in the name of rectifying injustice. Additionally, it argues that damages can be minimized and gains maximized for various stakeholders in waging and settling conflicts. This theory, which is known as the constructive conflict approach, looks at how conflicts can be waged and resolved so they are broadly beneficial rather than mutually destructive.
In this book, Louis Kriesberg, one of the major figures in the school of constructive conflict, looks at every major foreign conflict episode in which the United States has been involved since the onset of the Cold War to analyze when American involvement in foreign conflicts has been relatively effective and beneficial and when it has not. In doing so he analyzes whether the US took constructive approaches to conflict and whether the approach yielded better consequences than more traditional coercive approaches. Realizing Peace helps readers interested in engaging or learning about foreign policy to better understand what has happened in past American involvement in foreign conflicts, to think freshly about better alternatives, and to act in support of more constructive strategies in the future.
In this book, Louis Kriesberg, one of the major figures in the school of constructive conflict, looks at every major foreign conflict episode in which the United States has been involved since the onset of the Cold War to analyze when American involvement in foreign conflicts has been relatively effective and beneficial and when it has not. In doing so he analyzes whether the US took constructive approaches to conflict and whether the approach yielded better consequences than more traditional coercive approaches. Realizing Peace helps readers interested in engaging or learning about foreign policy to better understand what has happened in past American involvement in foreign conflicts, to think freshly about better alternatives, and to act in support of more constructive strategies in the future.
Reviews / Votes
A brilliant rendering of wisdom, Realizing Peace offers a concrete and unusual gift we could summarize in two short phrases. Dream big about peace. Take practical steps to get there. Louis Kriesberg brings together decades of engaged scholarship in this seminal work to offer specific approaches, based on empirical research, for how constructive transformation of conflict can reduce and prevent violence across the globe and improve the quality of relationships. * John Paul Lederach, author of The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace * In Realizing Peace Louis Kriesberg accomplishes what few peace researchers have dared. He applies peace theory, practice and findings directly to US foreign policy. His constructive conflict approach provides a realistic strategy for enhancing US security and global peace simultaneously. This book is essential reading for 21st century diplomats and citizens alike. * George A. Lopez, Vice-President, United States Institute of Peace * This book raises important questions about the US role in complex conflicts, the exercise of power in all its forms, and most importantly, the opportunities that exist to align the means we use more closely with the ends we seek to achieve. The book certainly will be valuable to students and practitioners of constructive conflict resolution. But, its real power will be in the hands of interested citizens who, in reading this, will ask more nuanced questions of ourselves and our elected leaders about what we are trying to achieve, what opportunities exist for constructive conflict resolution, and what choices we can make - as citizens and as a country - that best support those goals. * Andrea Strimling Yodsampa, CEO of DEPLOY/US Climate Initiative and former Chair of the Board, Alliance for Peacebuilding * This is an important volume by one of the giants in the field of conflict analysis. It deftly summarizes the author's pioneering work in the development of conceptual frameworks for understanding and mitigating armed conflict, providing a treasure trove of the most important sources in the field. Truly encyclopedic in scope. * David Cortright, author of Peace: A History of Movements and Ideas * Realizing Peace is an essential resource for peace and conflict studies, international relations and modern history. An invaluable learning tool for all teaching and working in the various fields of building knowledge and taking action for peace, it is a unique, hopeful and fundamentally practical work. * Betty A. Reardon, Founding Director Emeritus, International Institute on Peace Education *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
698 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-022867-5 (9780190228675)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2015
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€28.49
Available for download
E-Book
03/2015
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€28.49
Available for download
Person
Louis Kriesberg is Maxwell Professor Emeritus of Social Conflict Studies and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Syracuse University.
Author
Maxwell Professor Emeritus of Social Conflict Studies, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, and Associate, Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and CollaborationMaxwell Professor Emeritus of Social Conflict Studies, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, and Associate, Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration, Syracuse University
Content
Preface and Acknowledgements ; Glossary ; Chapter 1: Toward More Constructive Peacemaking ; Chapter 2: Escalations and De-escalations in the Cold War, 1945 - 1968 ; Chapter 3: Transforming Conflicts, 1969 - 1988 ; Chapter 4: Cold War Ends, New Conflicts Arise, 1989 - 1992 ; Chapter 5: America in a Globalizing World, 1993 - 2000 ; Chapter 6: The War on Terrorism and Other Foreign Conflicts, 2001 - 2008 ; Chapter 7: Attempted Course Change after 2008 ; Chapter 8: Building the Conditions for Constructive Strategies ; Index