Understanding Peacekeeping

Peace operations are now a principal tool for managing armed
conflict and building world peace. The fully revised, expanded and
updated second edition of Understanding Peacekeeping
provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the theory,
practice and politics of contemporary peace operations.
Drawing on more than twenty-five historical and contemporary
case studies, this book evaluates the changing characteristics of
the contemporary environment in which peacekeepers operate, what
role peace operations play in wider processes of global politics,
the growing impact of non-state actors, and the major challenges
facing today?s peacekeepers. All the chapters have been
revised and expanded and eight new chapters have been added.

Part 1 summarizes the central concepts and issues related to
peace operations. It includes a new discussion of the theories of
peace operations and analysis of the emerging responsibility to
protect norm. Part 2 charts the historical development of
peacekeeping from 1945 and includes a new chapter on peace
operations in the 21st century. In Part 3, separate chapters
analyze seven different types of peace operations: preventive
deployments; traditional peacekeeping; assisting transition;
transitional administrations; wider peacekeeping; peace
enforcement; and peace support operations. Part 4 looks forward and
examines the central challenges facing today?s peacekeepers,
namely, globalization, the regionalization of peace operations, the
privatization of security, civilian protection, policing and gender
issues.

The second edition of Understanding Peacekeeping will be
essential reading for students and scholars of peace and conflict
studies, security studies, and international relations.