Comprising essays by Peter Wallensteen, this book presents an overview of the thematic development of peace research, which has become one of the most dynamic and innovative areas of war and conflict studies.

Peace research began in the 1950s when centres were formed in the USA and Europe, and today there are research institutes and departments on every continent, with teaching and research programs in most countries, and peace researchers contribute to the development of international studies, development research and security analysis. Prof. Wallensteen has been a witness to much of this since forming the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University in the late 1960s, and this book brings together thirteen of his articles with five new essays in one volume.

The book presents articles on such key issues in peace research as the causes of war, conflict data, conflict diplomacy, non-violent sanctions and third- party diplomacy. In this way, it demonstrates how basic research can be conducted in fields often seen as 'unresearchable' and 'too complicated to deal with'. This volume shows that it is a matter of developing definitions, creating valid measures and finding ways of collecting information, recognising that innovations of this kind require supportive research environments. Furthermore, the results are not only useful for the growth of research activity itself, but for finding ways of dealing with actual conflicts. Thus, attention is also paid here to conflict prevention, peace agreements, sanctions and third-party activity for preventing and ending armed conflict, and building a lasting post-war peace.

This book will be of great interest to all students of peace studies, conflict resolution, war and conflict studies, development studies and IR/security studies in general.

About the Author

Peter Wallensteen holds the Dag Hammarskjoeld Chair of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University, Sweden and is the Richard G. Starmann Sr. Professor of Peace Studies at the Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame, USA. He leads Uppsala Conflict Data Program and a program on sanctions. He is author of many papers and articles, as well as several books, including Understanding Conflict Resolution (3rd edn, 2011), a leading textbook.

Reviews

'Wallensteen undertakes a unique, historical and comprehensive overview of the field. This book is a great asset for any scholar working on peace research and conflict resolution.' - Esra Cuhadar, New Routes Magazine, Vol. 17, January 2012

'This is a book by one of Europe's best peace researchers. It spans a distinguished career of theory, empirical research, and also practice, thus showing how social scientists can inform policy, and inspire all those who hope to reduce violence in this world.' - Prof. Bruce Russett, Yale University

'Peace Research: Theory and Practice offers more than an overview of the history and challenges faced by his peace research discipline; it provides examples that international educators might emulate to achieve similar goals, namely striving toward a 'democratic peace' through the promotion of exchange programs and other models that contest stereotypes and cultural misperceptions.' -- Assocation of International Educators Review of Global Studies Literature

'Peter Wallensteen's Peace Research: Theory and Practice offers more than an overview of the history and challenges faced by his peace research discipline; it provides examples that international educators might emulate to achieve similar goals, namely striving toward a 'democratic peace' through the promotion of exchange programs and other models that contest stereotypes and cultural misperceptions.' - Thomas V. Millington, Review of Global Studies Literature

Book Information
ISBN 9780415580892
Author Peter Wallensteen
Format Paperback
Page Count 282
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 550g