From Civil Strife to Civil Society: Civil and Military Responsibilities in Disrupted States

The 1990s saw the United Nations, the militaries of key member states, and nongovernmental organizations increasingly entangled in the complex affairs of disrupted states. Whether as deliverers of humanitarian assistance or as agents of political, social, and civic reconstruction, these actors have had to learn ways of interacting with each other in order to optimize the benefits for the populations they seek to assist. Yet the challenges created by conflicting organizational cultures, operating procedures, and priorities have proved daunting. From Civil Strife to Civil Society explores the nature of these challenges. The book offers a rigorous examination of the dimensions of state disruption and the roles of the international community in responding to it, looks at military doctrine for dealing with disorder and humanitarian emergencies, and examines mechanisms for ending violence and delivering justice in post-conflict times. The authors also investigate the problems of rebuilding trust and promoting democracy; while reestablishing the rule of law and social and civil order.

William Maley is professor and foundation director of the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University. Charles Sampford is foundation professor of law and head of the Key Centre for Ethics, Law Jusitce and Governance, Griffith University, Brisbane. Ramesh Thakur is a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and professor of political science at the University of Waterloo, Canada. He previously served as senior vice-rector of the United Nations University and assistant secretary general of the United Nations.