On the (In)Compatibility of Peace-Building and State-Making: Evidence from Somaliland. Issue 4 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balthasar, Dominik
• Is Part Of: Journal of development studies. Volume 55:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 457
• Page End: 472
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Economic development -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Développement économique -- Périodiques; Histoire économique -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Pays en voie de développement -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2017.1417586
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0388

Abstract

Abstract: Although peace-building and state-building are increasingly used interchangeably – particularly in policy circles – historical and theoretical considerations call their presumed compatibility into question. Applying the analytical prism of 'rule standardisation', this article shows that the two processes exhibit fundamental differences in terms of accepting or abrogating institutional and identity plurality, which lies at the heart of peace-building and state-making respectively. With reference to the case of Somaliland, which is frequently lauded for its allegedly joint peace-building and state-making success, this study purports that the polity's peacebuilding-statemaking nexus has been less marked by coexistence, cooperation, and certitude than by alterations, antagonisms, and ambiguities.