Oliver P. Richmond Books

The second edition delves into the development and understanding of peace within the framework of International Relations theory. It provides a comprehensive analysis of how the concept of peace has evolved over time, highlighting key theoretical perspectives and their implications for global affairs. This updated version incorporates new insights and discussions relevant to contemporary issues in peace studies, making it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners in the field.

The concept of peace has always attracted radical thought, action, and practices. It has been taken to mean merely an absence of overt violence or war, but in the contemporary era it is often used interchangeably with 'peacemaking', 'peacebuilding', 'conflict resolution', and 'statebuilding'.The modern concept of peace has therefore broadened from the mere absence of violence to something much more complicated.In this Very Short Introduction, Oliver Richmond explores the evolution of peace in practice and in theory, exploring our modern assumptions about peace and the various different interpretations of its applications.ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, andenthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

The book explores the evolution of peace discourse, tracing its roots from early war literature to contemporary theoretical frameworks. It contrasts intellectual developments with practical approaches to peace, highlighting the shifts in policy and thought over time. The second edition includes reflections on each chapter, along with a new introduction and conclusion, making it a vital resource for researchers and students in peace and conflict studies, as well as related fields.

Focusing on the dynamics of everyday actions, the book explores how these actions influence the acceptance, resistance, and transformation of interventions in peace-building. It highlights the unique forms of peace that arise from the interactions between local and international actors. By critiquing traditional liberal peace-building approaches, it offers a redefined perspective on critical peace and conflict studies, supported by new research findings from 16 countries.

The modern concept of peace has broadened from the mere absence of violence to something more sophisticated, incorporating terms such as 'peacemaking' and 'conflict resolution'. This Very Short Introduction is theoretically updated and introduces a new framework to understand the overall evolution of international peace architecture.

A critical assessment of current liberal approaches to post-conflict statebuilding with constructive suggestions as to where improvements might be made. Newly available in paperback.