Peace Figuration after International Intervention

Gëzim Visoka is a Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at Dublin City University, Ireland.

‘Critical thinkers have long been calling for an empirical analysis of the sociology of peace interventions, as well as their relationality with the subjects of those interventions. Visoka's book moves the debate further in this direction with a fascinating analysis of key aspects of international peace interventions in Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo and Timor Leste, measuring intentionality against outcomes. Visoka's superb book illustrates how consequences flow from such interventions, often undermining their attempts to achieve specific goals, and placing political development upon an alternative trajectory.’ -- Oliver P. Richmond, University of Manchester, UK'This excellent volume brings new insights into one of the defining international challenges of our time: how to support peace and reconstruction in post-conflict societies in a way that is both effective and legitimate. The idea of ‘peace figuration’ takes the debate forward into new theoretical directions, and the book draws upon important empirical illustrations. It is highly recommended to researchers and students alike.' -- Edward Newman, University of Leeds, UK'Gëzim Visoka's achievement is to reconceptualise peacebuilding as relational processes. Peace Figuration analyses a Clausewitzian clash of relations in which the best laid strategies and expectations, posited as common interests in a clear victory for peace, are constantly jeopardised by frictions. Visoka challenges the problem-solving, lessons-learned approach to peacebuilding by identifying the sociological essence of peace and the huge significance of unintended outcomes. Many of these outcomes lie in the uncertain futures of war-affected societies, likely to rebound disconcertingly against 'liberal' power. This absorbing analysis will engage a wide readership of students and policy-makers.' -- Michael Pugh, Emeritus Professor University of Bradford, UK'Gëzim Visoka has made a major contribution both theoretically and empirically to the study of liberal peacebuilding. Theoretically, he takes further the recent application of Norbert Elias’s sociological ideas to the field of international politics (thus also helping to rescue sociology from its increasingly narrow, domestic, short-term and policy-orientated foci). And his case studies explain the unpredicted outcomes of three well-intentioned interventions.' -- Stephen Mennell, Professor Emeritus, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland

• 1. Introduction: Figuring out peace Part I: Foundations of Peace Figuration 2. How do we know peace? Rethinking Liberal and Critical Epistemologies of Peacebuilding3. Peace Figuration: Towards a New Framework for AnalysisPart II: Peace Figuration in Practice4. Peace Figuration in Bosnia and Herzegovina5. Peace Figuration in Kosovo 6. Peace Figuration in Timor-Leste 7. At Peace’s End: Disfiguring the Impact of Liberal Peacebuilding