Building Pathways to Peace: State–Society Relations and Security Sector Reform

SSR is a critical component of post-conflict transitions, focusing on building accountable and legitimate institutions to prevent and sanction violence. Second-generation SSR emphasizes the inclusion of local communities and non-state actors in security and justice provision, but recognition is not enough. A focus on functional equivalents, minorities, gender, and human rights is essential for successful SSR, contributing to constructive state-society relations and long-lasting peace.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

SSR is a vital component of post-conflict transitions, aimed at establishing accountable and legitimate institutions capable of preventing and sanctioning the use of violence. While acknowledging the importance of involving local actors, donor policies primarily prioritize the state as a provider of security. Second-generation SSR has emphasized the need to incorporate local communities and acknowledge the existence of non-state actors in the provision of security and justice. However, mere recognition is insufficient. This Element advocates for a radical re-examination of SSR in the context of conflict and war. The guiding question for these considerations is how can security sector reform be established and implemented to contribute to constructive and inclusive state-society relations and pave the way for long-lasting peace? This Element posits that a focus on functional equivalents, minorities, gender, and human rights is essential for the design, implementation, and success of SSR.

SSR is a crucial element of post-conflict transitions, aiming to establish accountable and legitimate institutions capable of preventing and sanctioning the use of violence. While recognizing the importance of involving local actors, donor policies primarily prioritize the state as a provider of security. Second-generation SSR has emphasized the need to incorporate local communities and acknowledge the existence of non-state actors in the provision of security and justice. However, mere recognition is insufficient. This Element advocates for a radical re-examination of SSR in the context of conflict and war. The guiding question for these considerations is how can security sector reform be established and implemented to contribute to constructive and inclusive state-society relations and pave the way for long-lasting peace? This Element posits that a focus on functional equivalents, minorities, gender, and human rights is essential for the design, implementation, and success of SSR.

ISBN-13: 9781009406758