ABSTRACT

Stabilization is a contestable concept of intervention in violent conflicts. Often, it is either uncritically supported or rejected. In this article, we criticize current conceptualisations and practices of stabilization and newly introduce a dynamic approach for stabilization that yields a transformative potential. By distinguishing static vs. dynamic approaches to stabilization, we address the widespread dilemma that so-called stabilization measures seem unable to avoid instability and protracted violence in the long-term. Our analysis of the three policy fields peacekeeping, train & equip programmes and migration management in Mali reveals the dominance of static elements in stabilization practice. Instead, our article proposes to see a transformative variant of stabilization measures that enhances long-term security and development. We argue that there are two dynamic approaches of stabilization that policy-makers and practitioners can apply in (post-)conflict societies: state-centred liberal peacebuilding that takes its normative core seriously, and non-state centric peacebuilding that acknowledges alternative lived orders.

摘要

稳定化是对暴力冲突进行干预的有争议的概念。通常，它要么受到批评，要么被拒绝。在本文中，我们批评了当前的稳定概念和实践，并新引入了一种动态方法来实现稳定，从而产生了变革性的潜力。通过区分静态和动态稳定方法，我们解决了普遍存在的困境，即所谓的稳定措施似乎无法长期避免不稳定和旷日持久的暴力。我们对马里维持和平，培训和装备计划以及移民管理这三个政策领域的分析揭示了稳定因素在稳定实践中的主导地位。相反，我们的文章建议看到稳定措施的变革性变体，可以增强长期安全性和发展。