Peacebuilding: A Social Cohesion Approach

Abstract

In this chapter, Cox and Sisk present and define the concept of social cohesion, particularly in relation to the literatures on peacebuilding, and religious and ethnic fragmentation. Much of the literature on peacebuilding in deeply divided societies concludes that peacebuilding efforts are fraught with dilemmas, trade-offs, and conundrums with a significant risk that some types of programs, policies, and initiatives designed to foster social cohesion may result in more harm than good. Cox and Sisk introduce an innovative, country-level assessment guide on social cohesion and development cooperation that serves as the basis for comparative case-study analysis of peacebuilding efforts in seven deeply divided societies, including Guatemala, Kenya, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.