Policy and Governance in Post-Conflict Settings: Theory & Practice

Post-conflict societies are often seen as weak, fragile, and failed states, but economic recovery, risk of renewed violent conflict, natural resource degradation, and poverty alleviation are prioritized agendas. Donor countries and international institutions invest billions of dollars in development policy and governance reform, but misapplication, ineffectiveness, and foreign aid dependency have become controversial. The author employs social constructionism and discourse theory to establish a platform for understanding and discussing hegemonic aid conditionality on recipient governments. Theories help analyze how post-conflict governance meanings are socially, economically, and politically constructed and used in state building, state apparatuses, institutional building, and policy-making processes. Case studies are provided to illustrate the interface between governance and policy design in post-conflict settings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Post-conflict societies are often portrayed as weak, fragile, and unsuccessful states, facing significant challenges in their economic recovery, mitigating the risks of renewed violent conflict, addressing natural resource degradation, and alleviating poverty. Donor countries and international institutions prioritize these agendas, investing substantial resources in development policy and governance reform. However, debates arise regarding the misapplication, ineffectiveness, and dependence on foreign aid. To address these issues, the author employs a combination of social constructionism and discourse theory to establish a foundation for understanding and discussing hegemonic aid conditionality on recipient governments. These theories also aid in analyzing how the meanings of post-conflict governance are socially, economically, and politically constructed and utilized in state building, state apparatuses, institutional development, and policy-making processes. The author reveals that the philosophical and theoretical knowledge underlying the interface between governance modes and policy design fosters consensus among experts, public servants, donors, and communities in post-conflict settings. Furthermore, he shares insightful case studies drawn from his extensive experience leading reconstructive efforts in Afghanistan and Cambodia.

Post-conflict societies are often portrayed as weak, fragile, and unsuccessful states, facing significant challenges in their economic recovery, mitigating the risks of renewed violent conflict, addressing natural resource degradation, and alleviating poverty. Donor countries and international institutions prioritize these agendas, investing substantial resources in development policy and governance reform. However, debates arise regarding the misapplication, ineffectiveness, and dependence on foreign aid. To address these issues, the author employs a combination of social constructionism and discourse theory to establish a foundation for understanding and discussing hegemonic aid conditionality on recipient governments. These theories also aid in analyzing how the meanings of post-conflict governance are socially, economically, and politically constructed and utilized in state building, state apparatuses, institutional development, and policy-making processes. The author reveals that the philosophical and theoretical knowledge underlying the interface between governance modes and policy design fosters consensus among experts, public servants, donors, and communities in post-conflict settings. Furthermore, he shares insightful case studies drawn from his extensive experience leading reconstructive efforts in Afghanistan and Cambodia.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032475325