ABSTRACT
In recent years, peacebuilding programs by the international community have had some important successes, but also notable failures. Failures often lead skeptics to claim that the monumental tasks and inherent complexities of peacebuilding exceed the organizational capacity, knowledge, and political will of the international community. On the other hand, optimists argue that previous peacebuilding shortcomings are evidence that the international community needs to redouble its efforts, commit additional resources, and be “smarter” in implementation. This chapter argues that part of the formula for “smarter” peacebuilding is to be found through a more thorough exploration of the inherent tension and potential complementarity of collaboration and conflict as tools for achieving sustainable peace in transitional societies. As Kriesberg argues in this book, all social relationships involve varying degrees of collaboration and conflict as individuals and groups seek to change the behavior of others. The way of collaboration involves stakeholders working together to fulfil mutually shared needs, rather than pursuing their interests unilaterally and coercively. The way of conflict, in contrast, emphasizes the functional role that conflict can play in improving relations and addressing underlying tensions and inequalities. Neither is mutually exclusive, and both approaches to managing social and political challenges should be used in concert.
