2006 Crisis in East Timor: Lessons for Contemporary Peacebuilding

The international community must share responsibility for contributing to the conditions that resulted in violent conflict in Timor-Leste,four years after it declared independence from Indonesia. This book argues that radical changes are urgently required in the way the international community operates in these environments,and that peacebuilding must be intentional. The findings are rooted in an examination of the mechanisms used by international development actors in Timor-Leste between 1998 and 2006.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 09 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book makes a compelling argument that the international community must take responsibility for its role in contributing to the conditions that led to violent conflict in Timor-Leste, four years after it achieved independence from Indonesia. By failing to tailor interventions to the unique political economy and conflict dynamics of Timor-Leste, the state distanced itself from its citizens and weakened its ability to forge a political settlement based on a strong social contract. In a world where conflict-affected states are receiving unprecedented attention and peacekeeping operations and humanitarian emergencies are becoming increasingly complex, this book calls for radical changes in the way the international community operates in these environments. The findings are based on an in-depth examination of the mechanisms used by international development actors in Timor-Leste between 1998 and 2006. The author brings together a diverse range of perspectives, demonstrating that international actions cannot be isolated from the local political and socio-economic context. Interventions are never apolitical, and peacebuilding must be intentional. Moreover, political settlements based on a robust social contract should not be taken for granted anywhere, especially in light of the increasing disenfranchisement, mistrust in institutions, and structural inequalities observed in the global North.

This book is a valuable resource for students and researchers in the fields of development studies, international political economy, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution. It provides insights into the challenges and complexities of peacebuilding in post-independence contexts and offers valuable lessons for practitioners and policymakers working towards advancing peace. The book's comprehensive analysis and thoughtful conclusions make it an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of conflict and peacebuilding in the world today.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138590649