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Understanding Peacekeeping
Understanding Peacekeeping provides a comprehensive and up to date introduction to the theory, practice and politics of contemporary peacekeeping. It evaluates the changing characteristics of the contemporary environment in which peacekeepers operate, what role peacekeeping plays in wider processes of global politics, the growing impact of non-state actors, and the major challenges facing peacekeepers in the future.
Drawing on a wide range of historical and contemporary case studies, Afghanistan; Cambodia, Cyprus; the Democratic Republic of Congo; East Timor; El Salvador; Haiti, Liberia; Rwanda; Sierra Leone; Somalia; and the former Yugoslavia, this book develops an original conceptual framework to chart the evolution of the role of peacekeeping in global politics, and highlights the unique characteristics of different types of peacekeeping operations. Part 1 examines concepts and issues related to peacekeeping in global politics. Part 2 charts the historical development of peacekeeping from 1945 to the present. In Part 3, separate chapters are devoted to different types of peacekeeping traditional peacekeeping; managing transition; wider peacekeeping; peace enforcement; and peace support operations. Part 4 looks forward and examines developments in global politics that are presenting serious challenges to the concept and practice of peacekeeping, namely, globalization, the privatization of security, preventing violent conflict, and the establishment of protectorates.
Understanding Peacekeeping will be essential reading for students and scholars of peace and conflict studies, security studies, and international relations.
Drawing on a wide range of historical and contemporary case studies, Afghanistan; Cambodia, Cyprus; the Democratic Republic of Congo; East Timor; El Salvador; Haiti, Liberia; Rwanda; Sierra Leone; Somalia; and the former Yugoslavia, this book develops an original conceptual framework to chart the evolution of the role of peacekeeping in global politics, and highlights the unique characteristics of different types of peacekeeping operations. Part 1 examines concepts and issues related to peacekeeping in global politics. Part 2 charts the historical development of peacekeeping from 1945 to the present. In Part 3, separate chapters are devoted to different types of peacekeeping traditional peacekeeping; managing transition; wider peacekeeping; peace enforcement; and peace support operations. Part 4 looks forward and examines developments in global politics that are presenting serious challenges to the concept and practice of peacekeeping, namely, globalization, the privatization of security, preventing violent conflict, and the establishment of protectorates.
Understanding Peacekeeping will be essential reading for students and scholars of peace and conflict studies, security studies, and international relations.
344 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 19, 2025
Rich with examples, making understanding peacekeeping easier and all concepts more tangible. Great for acquiring basic relevant knowledge, but hardly enough for advanced research.
November 28, 2015
This book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in peacekeeping. Bellamy, Williams and Griffin do an excellent job by making a very broad and systematic overview of history, achievements and challenges of efforts to free the world from the scourge of war. Theoretically, the book is informed by the English school and its concept of international society. However, don't expect too much theory - most of the material is discussion of policies. The central analytical argument of the book is a distinction between Westphalian and post-Westphalian peacekeeping. Whereas the former category is dealing with peace among states the latter revolves around peace within states. This tension, mirrors wider tensions between national and human security as well as between pluralist and solidarist conceptions of international society. According to the authors, due to the forces of globalization, the post-Westphalian peacekeeping such as state-building and peace enforcement is increasingly getting the upper hand in world politics.
May 5, 2010
Paul Williams knows a hell of a lot about peacekeeping! And he cites my work in "Must Boys be Boys? Ending Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Operations" in the gender section so it must be good!
February 8, 2022
Williams and Bellamy give an astonishing detailed and very thoroughly analysed account on basically every aspect of peacekeeping.
In the book various topics as from the origin, funding, P/TCC and exit strategies are reviewed and categorised; always with multiple examples.
In the book various topics as from the origin, funding, P/TCC and exit strategies are reviewed and categorised; always with multiple examples.
January 25, 2021
Offers a detailed understanding of the UN and their role in Peacekeeping and the challenges associated with the role.
Useful read for those interested in International Disaster Management, Peacekeeping Operations and Global politics.
A long read and abbreviation overload! But a great book!!
Useful read for those interested in International Disaster Management, Peacekeeping Operations and Global politics.
A long read and abbreviation overload! But a great book!!
March 17, 2022
An impressively thorough and wide ranging work on peacekeeping operations, with plenty of historical context as well as analysis on issues and opportunities with peacekeeping.
I came to this book without any specific background, but had run into references to different peacekeeping operations in other books involving the Cold War and modern era. I wanted to get a more coherent view on peacekeeping specifically, and this book certainly gives a richly detailed account.
The expertise of the authors is plainly apparent from all the knowledge presented. At the same time, I still found it approachable. The arguments are well presented, differing views are showcased, and the broader historical and political context is woven throughout. If you are looking to get a deeper understanding on peacekeeping, it's past and future, this book is a very helpful resource to turn to.
I came to this book without any specific background, but had run into references to different peacekeeping operations in other books involving the Cold War and modern era. I wanted to get a more coherent view on peacekeeping specifically, and this book certainly gives a richly detailed account.
The expertise of the authors is plainly apparent from all the knowledge presented. At the same time, I still found it approachable. The arguments are well presented, differing views are showcased, and the broader historical and political context is woven throughout. If you are looking to get a deeper understanding on peacekeeping, it's past and future, this book is a very helpful resource to turn to.
January 17, 2014
That´s what I would call good academic work! Interesting, with any possible information you might be looking for. Cross references, objective, neutral. Respect!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews