1st Edition
Identity and Religion in Peace Processes Mechanisms, Strategies and Tactics
This book examines the complex role identity and religion play in global peace processes.
Based on multiple case studies, this book unveils the complex role identity and religion play in peace processes across the globe. It demonstrates that the success and sustainability of a peace process depends on the systemic application of the BRIDGE model that is introduced here. This model describes five major strategies (Bonding, Reassuring, Involving, Determining Guides, and Equalizing) and numerous tactics for how peace processes and accords can deal with the central issues as well as important common challenges that run through identity-based ethnonational or religious conflicts. This represents the first comprehensive account of how the transition from enemies to neighbors is achieved, how inter-group relations and engagement are transformed in peace processes, impacting power, access to resources, legitimacy, and representation in national identity. The model also discusses what forms of peacebuilding authentically represent the interests, needs, and values of religious constituencies, and what can be learned from how religious constituencies escalate and deescalate conflict. The book demonstrates why religion must also be included in peace processes and in permanent solutions, owing to religion’s capacity to enhance commitment to bonding and peaceful values, such as justice, compassion, nonviolence, stability, care for children, and care for the environment, for the sick, the wounded, the traumatized, and the bereaved.
This book will be of much interest to students of peace studies, intra-state conflict, religion studies and International Relations.
Introduction
Karina V. Korostelina, Marc Gopin, Jeffrey W. Helsing, and Alpaslan Özerdem
1.The BRIDGE Model: The Role of Identity in Peace Processes
Karina V. Korostelina
2. Radical Inclusion and Critique: Religion’s Complex Contribution to both War and Peace Processes
Marc Gopin
3. Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland
Juliette Rouge
4. Apartheid in South Africa: The Role of Religion and Identity in Brokering Peace
Beltina Gjeloshi
5. Dynamics of Identity in the Angolan Civil War and Peace Process
Billy Agwanda
6. A Peace Agreement in Colombia
Mery Rodriguez and Isabella Cuevas
7. Nigeria—Kaduna Peace Declaration and Yelwa Shendam Peace Affirmation
Ernest Ogbozor
8. Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement: Termination of Africa’s Longest War
Daniel Rothbart and Johan Brosché
9. The Philippines-MNLF Peace Process
Ayesah Uy Abubakar and Jeffrey W. Helsing
10. The Guatemalan Peace Process: Religion and Identity Elements
Jo-Marie Burt
Sudha G. Rajput
12. Serbia and Kosovo’s Dialogue for Peace
Borislava Manojlovic
Alpaslan Özerdem
14. Complexities of Peace Processes in Ukraine
Karina V. Korostelina
Conclusion
Karina V. Korostelina, Marc Gopin, Jeff Helsing, and Alpaslan Özerdem
Biography
Karina V. Korostelina is a Professor and Director of Peace Lab at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University.
Marc Gopin is a Professor and Director of Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University.
Jeffrey W. Helsing is Associate Professor and Director of the Better Evidence Project at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University.
Alpaslan Özerdem is a Professor and the Dean at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University.
'This innovative and important book argues that successful peace processes must transform relations between groups. It is the first comprehensive and systematic study of the role of identity and religion in peace processes, and it provides a compelling account of how the transition from enemies to neighbours can be achieved. The book combines theoretical sophistication with rich case studies and is a must-read for scholars, students, and policymakers with an interest in peace processes.'
Nina Caspersen, University of York, UK
'Identity and Religion in Peace Processes is a much-needed contribution to debates on how and why some peace processes manage to transform relations between different groups in conflict and others do not. This book sharpens our focus on the role of identity and religion not just in conflicts, but in peace processes, and explores the approaches and mechanisms by which these were addressed, with varying levels of success, in a range of contemporary case studies. The insights this collection yields will be of great interest and value to scholars and peacemakers alike.'
Jasmine-Kim Westendorf, La Trobe University, Australia
'This book fills a critical gap with which our field has long struggled; the issue of religion in protracted conflicts. We have always known that religion is a central issue in many such conflicts, but we have not had a tool with which to approach it effectively in both practical and theoretical terms. The BRIDGE model introduced in this book gives us that tool. This is an important book.'
Peter Jones, University of Ottawa
