1. Task Definition

This process, known as post-conflict reconstruction, goes beyond merely redeveloping physical structures. Efforts to rebuild society may include providing security for citizens, reforming legal and political institutions, revitalizing economic and social structures, assisting the return of refugees, promoting reconciliation, and facilitating political participation. In some cases, it is possible to rebuild existing structures while in others it is necessary to create new ones. Actors and agencies working to rebuild a social and political society can range from international organizations and non-governmental org-anizations (NGOs) to local and international governments as well as the local population.

Examples of post-conflict reconstruction include the rebuilding of Western Europe through the Marshall Plan and of Japan at the end of World War II. In more recent years, the UN and NGOs have played a crucial role in post-conflict reconstruction. In Guatemala, El Salvador, Mozambique, and Namibia, for example, international organizations and NGOs have assisted in the socio-economic recovery from armed conflict. The goal of such efforts has been to generate increasingly stable states and societies, thus reducing the potential return to conflict. But post-conflict reconstruction does not always lead to stability. For example, in 1992 Angola's efforts at post-conflict political reform may have contributed to the collapse of a fragile peace. Early elections served to increase hostilities between parties to the conflict. Instead of leading to reconciliation, the internationally supervised elections resulted in renewed fighting. In the case of Haiti, weak international involvement contributed to the rise of violence after a peace agreement was implemented.

Most experts agree on the need for post-conflict reconstruction, but they disagree significantly on how to go about it to ensure that it results in a stable society. Ongoing debates involve discussions of when and how to begin the process of rebuilding post-conflict societies, as well as who should be involved and how these various agencies of reconciliation and reconstruction should coordinate their efforts.

In a 1,500-word essay, select two cases where post-conflict reconstruction was undertaken, at least one of which should be post–Cold War. Analyze the two cases, addressing the following questions and statements:

• For each case, explain what developments led to an end of violence and describe the elements of the post-conflict reconstruction process.
  
• When the violence ended, was reconciliation achieved, or did the violence re-ignite at a later date? If reconciliation resulted, how was this achieved and what players were part of the process? If the violence re-ignited, what were the circumstances under which this occurred? What role did the post-conflict reconstruction effort play in the final outcome of the conflict?
  
• Based on your analysis, what conditions do you think are necessary for post-conflict reconstruction to result in a stable society? End your essay by providing practical recommendations on how to design and conduct a program of post-conflict reconstruction that leads to stability and reconciliation.

2. Information Seeking Strategies

Find information in encyclopedias, biographies, newspapers, personal interviews, and the Internet. The Library Media Center and other libraries.

General Resources Social Studies Resources Passwords for Online Resources are Available in the Media Center

3. Location and Access

327, 327.47, 327.73, 741.5, 953, 959.7, 959.704, 973.918, 980

Suggested Books from the Walter Johnson Library:
(listed alphabetically by title, found under 327.73 unless noted otherwise)

Internet Sites

U.S. Institute of Peace

United States Institute of Peace Library

U.S. Department of State

United Nations

Foreign Policy In Focus: Internet Gateway to Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy Association

United States Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy In Focus

International Relations

Peacekeeping and Related Operations

4. Use of Information:

• Recording Information
• Outline of the paper
• Draft of the paper

 

5. Synthesis:

Final copy of the paper. (At least 1500 words)

• Credit sources.
  • (Tips for citing sources)

   

6. Evaluation:

Finished assignment fulfills task.

• Information found matches information needed?
• How well did my paper turn out?
• Did I revise with a critical eye?
  
• Sources are credited.
• Was I happy with my process of finding and using information?
• Work is complete and includes name and date.
• Work is handed in on time.
• How would I do a similar project in the future?

 

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The Big Six © Eisenberg/Berkowitz, 1990.