Ethics for Peacebuilders

Reina C. Neufeldt is a Consultant on Peacebuilding Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and Assistant Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo, Canada.

Recent incidents involving sexual exploitation and corruption have highlighted what some have called the ‘dark side of peacekeeping.’ Less intentional are peace-keeping’s ‘unintended consequences,’ in which operations produce negative outcomes, such as economic distortions. This book fills an important gap by going beyond documenting problems to offering guidelines for ethical behavior in peace-building operations. The book’s subtitle, ‘A Practical Guide,’ does not do it justice. The analysis does offer more on general guidelines about how to think about the key issues and decisions than provide specific solutions. Illustrative is chapter 4, in which the author applies four moral theories to peace building and raises key questions for peace-keepers suggested by each. Nevertheless, the book is far from an abstract philosophical exercise. The chapters contain specific examples and scenarios (often set off in text boxes) as well as activities and ‘thinking tasks’ that focus readers on real-world applications of the elucidated principles. Particularly effective are the ‘For Further Exploration’ sections that conclude the chapters. This is essential reading for policy makers and upper-level peace-keeping officials, but scholars will find much of value here as well. Summing Up:Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals.

• List of Figures and Textboxes PrefaceChapter 1: Doing Good? Chapter 2: “Doable” Ethics in the FieldChapter 3: Values, Values EverywhereChapter 4: Thinking Carefully: How Moral Theories Can HelpChapter 5: Creative Problem-Solving When Values ConflictChapter 6: Nurturing Ethical EnvironmentsChapter 7: Doing Good Well: Talking about the Real IssuesBibliography