PEACEBUILDING AND SECOND TRACK DIPLOMACY - IAFF 290.23

QUESTIONS FOR TERM PAPER - DUE APRIL 8

1. Discuss at least three different forms of violence and how peacebuilding needs to respond to each of these in order to be successful. In your discussion explain the main obstacles faced by second track initiatives engaged in violence reduction and conflict resolution. Illustrate your discussion in the context of an appropriate case study.

2.Discuss what you believe are the four most important psychological factors that impede peacebuilding efforts. In what ways may these be overcome by second track diplomacy? Illustrate your discussion in the context of one or two case studies.

3.Criminal justice tends to be punitive, conflictual, impersonal, and state centered.... An alternative approach to justice is more reparative in focus. It puts both victim and offender in center stage. Victims' needs and rights are central, not peripheral.

Howard Zehr, in Peacebuilding a Field Guide, 330)

How important is the concept of 'restorative justice' in peacebuilding efforts? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a restorative justice in the context of an international conflict in which it was attempted. What conclusions can you draw about restorative justice from your case study, and what are the wider implications of these?

4. How importart are the concepts of co-existence and justice for peacebuilding? What challenges exist in promoting these concepts simultaneously in a post-conflict environment? How might second track initiatives respond to such challenges in order to facilitate co-existence and justice? Illustrate your discussion in the context of one or two case studies.

5. How significant are enemy images and stereotypes in perpetuating violent behavior in post-conflict situations? What factors reinforce such images and stereotypes and how might these be countered in effective peacebuilding and second track diplomacy? Illustrate your discussion by analysing Wallach's efforts with Israeli/Palestinian children, or with another appropriate case study.

6. In Nonviolent Communication, Marshall Rosenburg argues that communication based on 'honest expression' and 'empathic listening' of basic needs and feelings is the key to the nonviolent resolution of conflict. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of his thesis. How feasible is Rosenberg's model for effective peacebuilding and second track diplomacy? Discuss Rosenberg's model in the context of a case study where you think it may be applicable.

7. In his book, Working with Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman presents an extensive list of emotional competencies that make up what he calls Emotional Intelligence. How important is the concept of emotional intelligence, and the idea of emotional competencies, for peacebuilding? How might Goleman's model, primarily written for business management, be successfully incorporated in peacebuilding work? Discuss Goleman's model in the context of a case study where you think it may be applicable.

8. For effective peacebuilding, should trauma be explicitly addressed by second track initiatives, or should it be left for indigenous parties and long term political, economic and societal processes? What are the main obstacles for responding to trauma at the individual, group and societal levels; and how may second track initiatives overcome these?

9. Frame your own question concerning one or more conflict resolution models/frameworks. Clear the question with me before you begin your research and writing.

Note: You are expected to submit a two page outline of your planned paper on March 25. The outline should contain your main argument, the analytical framework you have developed for the question, and your bibliography.