Beyond Settlement

Book excerpt: Political, ideological, and ethnic conflicts have resulted in countless deaths, the creation of millions of refugees, the destruction of livelihoods, and widespread human suffering, to say nothing of the economic destruction. This book examines institution building and security sector reform in conflict states by analyzing eighteen case studies covering eleven countries and six decades. With regard to institution building, there is an analysis of four democratic levers-elections, the legislature, the executive, and devolution--focusing on how the structure and function of these political institutions contribute to the management and reduction of conflict and to the consolidation of fragile democracies. Concerning security sector reform, there is an analysis of how military, police, and intelligence institutions are reformed in states that are coming out of conflict-states that are moving beyond settlement. Some of the conflicts in this study are ongoing (Palestine), while others have been resolved (Spain, South Africa), while still others are in a peace-building or immediate post-conflict stage (Northern Ireland).