Post-Conflict Power-Sharing Agreements: Options for Syria

ISBN-13: 9783319867786 / Angielski / Miękka / 2018 / 191 str.

Imad Salamey; Mohammed Abu-Nimer; Elie Abouaoun

Spis treści

1. Introduction: Comparative Post-Conflict Power Sharing Models for Syria

The Dilemma of Post “Arab Spring” Transition

Declining States and Rising Communitarianism

The Syrian Conflict and Prospective Resolutions

Peacebuilding in Syria

Power Sharing as Peacebuilding

Comparative Power Sharing Agreements

Conclusion

2. Resolving Identity Conflict in the Middle East: A Theoretical Understanding

Theoretical Definition of Identity Conflict

Resolving Identity Conflict Through Power Sharing

The Syrian Conflict and Consociationalism

Conclusion

3. Bridging Elite and Grassroots Initiatives: The Road to Sustainable Peace in Syria

Introduction

The Syrian Conflict: Dilemmas for Mediators

Elite Level Process: Power Sharing Arrangements and Non-Retributive Justice Measures

Political Power Sharing + Non-Retributive Justice Initiatives

Military Power Sharing + Non-Retributive Justice Initiatives

Economic Power Sharing + Non-Retributive Justice Initiatives

Local Level Process: Peacebuilding and Reconciliation

Conclusion

4. Peace-Building in Syria Through Power-Sharing: A Study of Possibilities

Introduction

The Consociational Model of Power Sharing

Peacebuilding and Power Sharing

Indian Power Sharing (1947-67)

Lebanese Power Sharing (1943-75)

Peace Processes through Power Sharing in Syria

Power Sharing Possibilities in Syria

Overarching Loyalty

External Threat

Tradition of Accommodation

Small Population and Territory Size

Conclusion

5. Women Leading Reconciliation: A Paradigm Shift in Conflict Resolutions

Gender Roles in Peace-building

Gender Violence in the Syrian Conflict

The Existing Debate on Conflict Resolution and Gender

Politics, Protection, and Privilege

The Need for a Paradigm Shift

Gender Role in Conflict Reconciliation among the Syrians

Conclusion

6. Pathways to Reconciliation in Divided Societies: Islamist Groups in Lebanon and Mali

Introduction

Reconciliation and Islamist Pathways

The Insufficiencies of Classical Approaches

Situational Logic and Power Issues

The Case of Lebanon: Salafism and the Constraints of Realpolitik

The Case of Mali: Global Religious Cleavages or Local Grievances?

Conclusion and Some Tentative Lessons for Reconciliation in Syria

7. Could the Partition be the Way to End the Syrian War?

Introduction

Burdens and Obstacles for the Success of Desecuritization Strategies

The Prospect of Failure for Power Sharing as a Guide to the Desecuritization of Ethnic Conflicts

Pros and Cons of a Partition Plan: A New Course of Action Proposed by the International Powers: US and Russia

Final Considerations

8. Ways forward in Syria

Crisis in Post-Arab Spring National Discourse

Conflict Mitigation in Syria

Multi-Communitarian Consociationalism

Power Sharing for Syria: A Reconciliation Pathway

Peacebuilding Prerequisites for Power Sharing Agreements

Conclusion: The Challenges Ahead

O autorze

​Imad Salamey is Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution at the Lebanese American University.

Mohammed Abu-Nimer is Senior Advisor to KAICIID and Professor in the School of International Service at American University, USA.

Elie Abouaoun is Director of Middle East and North Africa Programs at the US Institute of Peace.

Blurb

The book surveys comparative power sharing models implemented in societies that have faced identity-conflicts, with attention given to post-conflict design. It analyzes the success and pitfalls of international experiences before proposing a model for Syria. Contributors address the central question: which among the set of power-sharing agreements that have helped settle protracted identity-driven armed conflict can provide Syria with a platform for dialogue, negotiation, and conflict mitigation? The comparative analysis advanced in this book extracts lessons from countries such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Northern Ireland, the Philippines and Sudan. The prospect of a post-conflict distribution of power in Syria is then unraveled from different sectarian, ethnic and regional perspectives. The authors also address challenges of peacebuilding such as violent extremism, gender participation, resettlements, retributions, transitional justice, integration of armed groups and regional and international sponsorship.