Functional Coexistence in Socio-Political Conflict Enabling Social Change Across Decades

Part One: Theory of Functional Coexistence  Chapter One: Introduction: Facing Unresolved Conflict, Margarita Tadevosyan and Tatsushi Arai  Chapter Two: Functional Coexistence: Its Conceptual Foundations and Significance, Tatsushi Arai  Chapter Three: Implications of Functional Coexistence for Conflict Intervention and Peacebuilding, Tatsushi Arai  Part Two: Cases of Enduring Functional Coexistence Chapter Four: Functional Coexistence in Local Communities in Post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia, SungYong Lee  Chapter Five: Functional Coexistence in Cyprus: Negotiating the Seemingly Non-negotiable Limits of Mutually Acceptable Actions Across the Intercommunal Divide, Gül M. Gür  Chapter Six: Northern Ireland: (Dys)functional Coexistence, Roger Mac Ginty  Chapter Seven: Agonistic Democracy: The Way Forward to Sustain Functional Coexistence in the Western Balkans?, Doga Eralp  Part Three: Cases of Emerging and/or Transitional States of Coexistence Chapter Eight: Toward Functional Coexistence in Armenia-Turkey Relations: A Critical Analysis of the Normalization Process, Margarita Tadevosyan  Chapter Nine: Coexistence and Domination: Arab-Jewish Relations in Israel, Mohammed Abu-Nimer  Chapter Ten: Time for a New Approach to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict: Prospects for Functional Coexistence, Ann L. Phillips   Part Four: Implications for Theory, Practice and Policymaking  Chapter Eleven: A Broader Landscape of Functional Coexistence: Lessons Learned from the Cases and Implications for Future Inquiry, Jeffrey W.  Helsing  Chapter Twelve: Implications of Functional Coexistence for Peacebuilding Evaluation, Policymaking, and Funding, Tatsushi Arai and Margarita Tadevosyan  Conclusion  On the Journey of Functional Coexistence: Looking Back and Looking Forward, Tatsushi Arai

Biography

Tatsushi Arai is Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State University, USA, with extensive practitioner experience. He is author or editor of four books, including Creativity and Conflict Resolution: Alternative Pathways to Peace (2009).

Margarita Tadevosyan is Research Assistant Professor and the Executive Director of the Center for Peacemaking Practice at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, USA.

'Just as scientists have redefined “dark matter” in space, the writers in this brilliant volume have shifted what are often seen as frozen or transitional conflict spaces—defined in terms of what they are not—into areas worthy of support and dynamic study in their own right.'

Melanie Greenberg, Managing Director, Humanity United

'This important book explores the requirements of “non-violent functional coexistence” when so far prospects for conflict resolution are “out of sight.” It opens a major new field of further study in a neglected field which offers pragmatic and innovative guidance for theorists, practitioners, policymakers - and conflict parties themselves. It is an invaluable contribution. Highly recommended and essential reading.'

Oliver Ramsbotham, Emeritus Professor of Conflict Resolution, University of Bradford, UK

'… a genuinely innovative effort to go beyond Johan Galtung’s concept of “negative peace” as simply an absence of violence, and to show what positive changes might be possible in moving relations between former enemies in the direction of diminishing mistrust, stability, and a sense of independent security…. '

Christopher R. Mitchell, Professor Emeritus of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University, USA

'This is an exceptionally important contribution to peacebuilding. It lays out a strong theoretical framework, supported by empirical data, for the proposition that many societies are locked in a precarious state of non-fighting—functional coexistence—characterized as neither war nor peace. We are given crucial insight into the dynamics within these societies and the adaptations taking place that might eventually lead to more positive peace. In this especially challenging period in international relations, this is inspired and inspiring work.'

Eileen Babbitt, Professor of Practice in International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA

'Peacebuilders have long known that a linear progression from conflict to peace rarely happens in practice. This book proposes a creative way to deal with this reality. Functional coexistence is an important contribution to our thinking about how peace can be made and sustained.'

Peter Jones, Executive Director of the Ottawa Dialogue, Canada

'This book explores how to work with stuck relationships by promoting constructive engagement in negative peace. It develops a systematic approach to living together despite deep divisions. This is a novel theory that works well in a wide range of frozen conflicts. I highly recommend it to all theorists and practitioners interested in what to do when conventional conflict resolution processes prove incapable of facilitating agreement or healing broken relationships.' 

Kevin P. Clements, Director, Toda Peace Institute, Japan