ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the possibility of harnessing insights from the study of complexity to help understand how to analyse, monitor and evaluate multidimensional United Nations (UN) peace operations that are invariably part of conflict and peace building systems in highly dynamic and nonlinear environments. It charts the origins of complexity theory, introduces the features of a complex system and notes the increasing application of such concepts to the social sciences as well as enduring contentions. It discusses the emerging literature viewing peace missions and operating environments as complex social systems and proceeds to expand on nascent field using real-world examples to substantiate the suitability of such a representation. The chapter examines how the central tenets of complexity theory provide an alternative theoretical framework for addressing the weaknesses of extant Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in peace operations. It finally articulates the core implications of complexity-oriented M&E for contributing to subsequent development of a framework for UN police (UNPOL) in peace operations.
