Chapter 2
A critique of “bottom-up” peacebuilding
Do peaceful individuals make peaceful societies?
This chapter is concerned with dialogue-based post-conflict practices currently being promoted vigorously by certain international organizations. On the one hand, there is “transitional justice” with its cornerstone forums, deemed truth and reconciliation commissions. On the other hand, there are various “bottom-up” peacebuilding techniques – local dialogues, coexistence programs, conflict resolution training, and so on. Generally speaking, these “bottom-up” approaches work to transform individual prejudices and emphasize relations amongst “ordinary people.” The shared objective of these practices is to construct peace that proves ...
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