1. Peace Agreements and the durability of peace

This first week looks at the inception of a peace process. This starts with an overview of theories of how conflict dynamics change, leading to the creation of a peace process. Following on from this, where a conflict moves towards a peace process we discuss how a peace process moves forwards to the establishment of a peace agreement. The material in this week should enable the participant to identify how sustainable a particular peace agreement will be, and what factors are important for this success.

2. Legitimate government

The second week of this course tackles the subject of post-conflict government, and the implications of using the liberal democracy model in post-conflict reconstruction programs. In order to do this, the course material of this second week discusses democracy, elections and legitimacy and how they interact. This week should provide the tools for the participant to assess the democratic credentials of government.

3. State and society

The third week of this course looks at the elements of establishing a stable state and society beyond peace agreements and the holding of post-conflict elections. In order to do this it will address the place of international intervention and its limits, different existing models of government. The content of this week also introduces factors beyond the state that affect stability: economics, security, and relations between state and society.

Course Outline

Week 1: Peace agreements and Durability of peace

1. The peace process: how to change the dynamics of conflict
2. Mechanisms of ending conflict in a peace process: the place of mediation
3. Peace Agreements and durability of peace

   Week 2: Legitimate government

   1. Democracy: what is it? What is it not?
   2. Elections
   3. Legitimacy
   4. Dysfunctioning democracy
   5. Post-conflict democracy building
   6. Measuring democracy

   Week 3: State and society

   1. The state, between failure and consolidation
   2. Identity
   3. Social Cohesion
   4. Power
   5. Security
   6. Economy
   7. International relations: the issue of international assistance
   8. Concepts for constructive action