Protecting the Global Civilian from Violence: UN Discourses and Practices in Fragile States

This book examines why the UN is more successful than unilateral great powers in protecting civilians from violence, focusing on the discourse, development, and consequences of UN peacekeeping. It analyzes statistics of state fragility and violence fatalities and finds that the UN has saved tens of thousands of lives through its peacekeeping operations. The book highlights two reasons for the UN's success: local ownership of peaceful solutions and a less power-oriented approach than unilateral great powers. However, strong great power influence on these operations can weaken the UN's ability to save lives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the compelling reasons behind the United Nations' (UN) remarkable success in protecting civilians from violence, surpassing unilateral great powers. It provides a detailed analysis of the discourse, development, and consequences of UN peacekeeping operations. By examining statistics on state fragility and violence fatalities, the book reveals a surprising statistic: the UN has successfully saved tens of thousands of lives through its peacekeeping efforts.

Through a computer-assisted discourse analysis of resolutions from the UN Security Council between 1993 and 2019, the book offers valuable data that describe the character and evolution of the UN's approach to protecting civilians from violence. It then establishes a correlation between these data and statistics on conflict fatalities and state fragility to unveil the factors that contribute to the UN's success in safeguarding civilians.

Two key reasons for the UN's success are identified as statistically most significant. Firstly, the organization prioritizes local ownership of peaceful solutions by recognizing conflicting parties as the primary agents of protection. This approach fosters a sense of responsibility and empowers local communities to take charge of their own security. Secondly, the UN's approach to peacekeeping is significantly less power-oriented than unilateral approaches taken by great powers. Rather than focusing on deterrence or destruction, the UN aims to provide support to local protectors of civilians, emphasizing the importance of building capacity and strengthening local institutions.

However, it is important to note that strong influence from great power actors can sometimes undermine the UN's ability to save lives. This influence can lead to political maneuvering, resource allocation, and military interventions that may hinder the UN's efforts to maintain peace and protect civilians.

This book holds immense interest for students studying humanitarian intervention, peacekeeping, human rights, and International Relations in general. It offers a valuable perspective on the complexities of peacekeeping operations and sheds light on the UN's remarkable achievements in protecting civilians from violence. By examining the discourse, development, and consequences of UN peacekeeping, this book provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by the organization in its mission to promote peace and security worldwide.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367250300