Introduction

Abstract

This chapter introduces the research presented in this volume by posing its leading question: What kinds of changes does peace bring to everyday people? Many existing studies of the effects of peace focus on the measurement of objective (if not material) change, but grasping these effects from the subjective and everyday perspective of local actors is far more challenging. This book is an attempt to embrace this challenge by focusing on the concept of empowerment as a means of measuring the long-term changes arising from peace, including the derivative effects of peacebuilding reforms. This introduction sets forth the general outline of the book and offers a methodological and epistemological overview of this study.