ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the development of the local turns in peacebuilding and puts the conceptual discourses into empirical perspective, in order to contribute to a better understanding of local actor's peacebuilding actions, potentials and constraints. Conflict management scholars pursued a problem-solving approach and began to research more effective ways to conduct peacebuilding and statebuilding. This critical approach in peacebuilding emphasized the necessity of empowering local people as the primary authors of peace instead of advancing externally designed and driven peace interventions. The objective of peacebuilding theory is to conceptualize experiences, which are then transformed into training concepts to support international actors in giving local people agency and power over their peace processes. The focus on institutional setups, in the form of infrastructures for peace, is a common feature of both local turns. This area represents the opportunity for scholars to go beyond the analysis of domination, power and resistance, and to engage with the practice of peacebuilding.
