Demobilizing irregular forces / Eric Y. Shibuya.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shibuya, Eric Y.

Series:

War and conflict in the modern world

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Militia movements--Demobilization.

Militia movements.

Conflict management.

Physical Description:

viii, 167 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; Malden, MA : Polity Press, 2012.

Summary:

From Afghanistan and Sierra Leone to East Timor, the aftermath of armed conflict presents a complex set of challenges. Whatever political agreements may have been reached, conflicts are often at risk of re-igniting, and the fates of their former participants remain uncertain. Armed groups may not easily be dissuaded from pursuing belligerent activities that they see as both profitable and understandable. In the face of these difficulties, the process of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) attempts to convince combatants to relinquish weapons and return to civilian life. It is a crucial first step towards lasting peace.

Demobilizing Irregular Forces is the first comprehensive introduction to DDR in the contemporary world. Examining regions as varied as Africa, Asia, and Central America, it guides readers through the different stages of the DDR process as well as assessing competing perspectives surrounding its implementation. Attentive to the problems faced by practitioners, Eric Shibuya argues against a "one size fits all" approach, emphasizing the importance of social and psychological contexts in fostering the trust that is necessary for DDR to succeed. Accessible and incisive, it will be an ideal resource for students of politics, security, and conflict studies, as well as anyone interested in the dynamics of peacebuilding today. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

2 The History and Evolution of DDR 11

3 Disarmament: The Ephemeral Beginning 24

4 Demobilization: The Real Heart of the Matter 54

5 Reintegration: The End of the Beginning 85

6 Challenges and Conclusions 117.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [156]-164) and index.

ISBN:

0745648851

9780745648859

074564886X

9780745648866

OCLC:

794541428