Governing Security After War: The Politics of Institutional Change in the Security Sector

Security assistance has become a critical component of international peacebuilding and stabilization efforts, but the outcomes of these efforts are mixed. In Governing Security After War, Louis-Alexandre Berg examines the political dimensions of security governance and argues that the extent to which state policymakers adopt changes to the management and oversight of security forces depends on internal political dynamics. He provides practical recommendations for navigating the political challenges of institutional change in conflict-affected countries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Security assistance has emerged as a crucial component of international peacebuilding and stabilization efforts, playing a pivotal role in responding to civil wars and insurgencies. Donors and peacekeepers not only provide training and equipment to military and police forces but also aim to reform their structures, management, and oversight. However, our understanding of the factors that determine the success or failure of these efforts remains limited. Efforts to restructure security forces in countries such as Iraq, Libya, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, and the Democratic Republic of Congo faced challenges, resulting in factional fighting. In contrast, similar initiatives in Liberia, Sierra Leone, El Salvador, Mozambique, and Bosnia and Herzegovina achieved positive outcomes by transforming security forces and contributing to peacebuilding.

The question of why these outcomes differ remains a topic of investigation. In his book, Governing Security After War, Louis-Alexandre Berg delves into the political dimensions of security governance by conducting a systematic, cross-country comparison. Berg argues that the extent to which state policymakers adopt changes to the management and oversight of security forces depends on internal political dynamics, particularly the degree to which leaders seek to consolidate power. Different political strategies pursued by leaders influence the opportunities for external actors to influence institutional changes through measures such as aid conditions, norm diffusion, or day-to-day participation in decision-making.

Drawing on an original dataset of security governance and field research in Liberia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Timor-Leste, as well as mini-case studies of Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Somalia, Berg offers novel insights that help explain the recurrence of civil war and the impact of foreign aid on peacebuilding. Moreover, Berg provides practical recommendations for policymakers and practitioners seeking to improve security governance and promote sustainable peace.

In conclusion, security assistance has become an indispensable tool in international peacebuilding efforts, but its effectiveness depends on a nuanced understanding of internal political dynamics and the strategies employed by leaders. By examining the political dimensions of security governance, Berg's book contributes to our understanding of the factors that shape security outcomes and offers valuable insights for promoting sustainable peace.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 162 x 243 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197572382