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Getting its act together? The international community and statebuilding

Getting its act together? The international community and statebuilding. The US and the World. I. What’s new? current events: primary sources II. Do words matter? debate III. How we got here? (start here?) in-depth group projects on specific countries

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Getting its act together? The international community and statebuilding

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  1. Getting its act together?The international community and statebuilding

  2. The US and the World I. What’s new? current events: primary sources II. Do words matter? debate III. How we got here? (start here?) in-depth group projects on specific countries simulations; documentaries and feature films IV. Who does what and how? the “reconstruction stimulation” role playing V. To what end? progress reports on countries; utube

  3. I. What’s new?the state of statebuilding • Since early 1990s, “statebuilding” has become centerpiece of international efforts to stabilize violent conflicts • US involved in Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq • “International community” involved in numerous other war torn countries US domestic and foreign policy Important countries and ongoing events World Affairs

  4. America’s role in war-torn states • Post-WWII history • Germany/Japan • “nationbuilding” • The Cold War • US-Soviet stalemate • The post-Cold War • “Western mission”

  5. America’s role:rebuilding countries… and more

  6. I. What’s new? The History of United Nations • The development and changes in the UN • Agenda for Peace (1992)shift from peacekeeping to peace operations • Contemporary cases • Foreign Affairs

  7. I. The UN:Peacekeeping … and more

  8. I. What’s New?: The EU and “international actors” • EU since 2000: leading efforts in the Balkans • Other international actors: World Bank, IMF • International nongovernmental organizations

  9. II. Do words matter? Defining “statebuilding” • Statebuilding= reconstruction of polities and economies (McMahon & Western) • Nationbuilding= the use of armed forces in the aftermath of conflict to underpin an enduring transition to democracy (Dobbins) • Empire building =tendency of a country to acquire land/resources to increase own power

  10. II. Do words matter? Defining and debating statebuilding • Peacebuilding • Post-conflict reconstruction and development • Stabilization • Neocolonialism Debate: What should “it” be called and why it matters?

  11. III. How we got here? Recent history and events • Surge in demand: The Cold War’s end 1989/91 and then post 9/11 “idealism” • 1989-2000: 111 conflicts, 104 internal conflicts • 1990-1994: 26 deadly conflicts The role of the media:Robert Kaplan, “Coming Anarchy” (1994)

  12. III. How we got here? Recent history and events 2. The Cases • Former Yugoslavia, 1992-1999 • “ethnic” nature • Surprising number of killings • No superpower or institution to respond • “Not again”: European genocide

  13. III. How we got here? Recent history and events 3. The Failed State Phenomenon During the 1990s, the rise of “failed states” or states which cannot or will not safeguard minimal civil conditions” • Why might states fail? Why is the US not considered the “most stable of states”? • Foreign Policy index • 12 social, economic, political and military indicators • Rank states, compare different areas and to note changes. • Weakest states: Africa, Asia, EE and Latin America

  14. III. How we got here? Recent history and events 4. Changes in Global Institutions and Norms • New structure: bipolar to multipolar • Changes and developments in UN • New norms about “humanitarian intervention” • New ideas about security, peace and “new world order” How has the world changed? Is it a good thing for the US and Americans?

  15. III. How we got here? The Post 9/11 World 5. The Events of 9/11 • After 9/11: foreign policy shift to “idealism”: missionary role of U.S. • Link made between need for nation building and terrorism, failed states and terrorists, WMD • Post CW period: US involved in (roughly) about one new NB every other year

  16. IV. Who does what and how?The reconstruction simulation • Reconstructing North Korea • When to act? • Who should act? • Role playing • How should it be done? What should be first? Who is in charge? What are the outcomes sought? What are the 4 central tasks?

  17. IV. Who does what and how?The four central tasks • Security • Prevent violence • Take guns out of the hands of individuals • Create “transparency” • Reintegration strategy: “golden parachutes” • Law and Order

  18. SFOR’s tasks

  19. The central tasks 2. Political Transition/Institutional Development • Deciding the “rules of the game” • Interim administration: temporary governance, often shared with the international community (UN) • Elections: quickly or wait? • Emphasis on being inclusive and representative • Help to create institutions

  20. Emphasis on “new voices” • Belquis Ahmadi

  21. Is it “right” to promote democracy?Human rights? Women’s rights? If so, how should these ideals be promoted ?

  22. Civil society? • Civil society = public space that allows a variety of actors to mediate (stand between) relations between citizens and state authorities • How to promote/encourage this space? • How to promote a free but also responsible media?

  23. The central tasks 3. (Economic) Development • Overcome the legacy of war economy • Need for civil service to help • Establish economic priorities • Community development • Development of state functions: public good

  24. The challenges of economic development • Refugee/displaced persons: Kosovo 1998: almost ½ Albanian population became refugees (population of 1.7 m)

  25. The central tasks 4. Reconciliation and Rehabilitation/Justice • Strengthening/renewing social networks • Empowering individuals and rebuilding socially and psychologically What should the goals be? • Justice? • Forgiveness? • Reconciliation? Can we expect that individuals will ever heal and move forward?

  26. Is justice necessary for reconciliation or moving forward?

  27. V. To what end? when does it work? • How much force is necessary? • Does money make a difference? • What kinds of external involvement matters the most? • How do you evaluate outcomes?

  28. Force matters…

  29. Money matters….

  30. More actors matters… The Agents • The UN “system” (4) • The US • NATO • EU • Non-government Organizations: NGOs • Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) • Certain actors more than others? Recent research by Rand: UN better at learning/statebuilding than the US

  31. V. To What End?the problems/complexities • Defining success • Stable country • Human security: are people better off • No relapse w/in 5 years • Democratic • Pro US • How to pick and choose “cases” • The problem of civil war/failed states • No “exact” formula/blueprint • One interested country matters the most • Key to success: • domestic (rather than external) actors, conditions, will

  32. V. To What End? • Benchmarks for success? • Develop a bill for the cost of statebuilding and debate its worth • What are the alternatives to statebuilding or helping rebuild war torn countries? • When should the US be involved? • When – if ever – should it lead these international effort?

  33. V. To What End?Progress on countries • Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy • The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, • Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) • U.S. Department of State • European Union • Country website • UN websites: UNMIK. Org • NGO networks

  34. V. To What End? • Invite serviceman/woman to talk • Watch a movie: • Welcome to Sarajevo • No Man’s Land • Hotel Rwanda • Triumph of Evil (great documentary) • The Hurt Locker • Kandahar • Invite member of the community from one of these countries

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