The Changing Face of Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping is a dynamic practice, evolving and adapting to meet the new demands which have arisen as a result of the end of the bipolar Cold War system and are indicative of a transition period in world order politics. Deployment of increasing numbers of peacekeeping missions demonstrates the international communities' new responses to dealing with conflict. The scope of peacekeeping operations is constantly expanding and missions now incorporate a greater non-military element: human rights education, election monitoring, assisting with civil administration and post conflict reconstruction are all activities that have been undertaken by peacekeeping troops in countries as diverse as Cambodia and Croatia. The emphasis of these operation are on reconstruction and peace implementation rather than the old style of conflict 'freezing'. This chapter seeks to show how and why this changing face of conflict has forced new modes of operational practice upon peacekeepers. It will trace the evolution of peacekeeping from a purely security-driven mandate where the emphasis is on conflict stalling and conflict prevention (known as first-generation peacekeeping), to a more expansive one where peacekeepers are increasingly expected not only to contribute to security but also to assist with humanitarian relief, and the physical, political and social reconstruction of war-torn societies (known as second-generation peacekeeping). The chapter will examine the peacekeeper themselves and the communities they are called upon to serve. it will suggest potential improvements to operational practice in the light of this analysis. In order to do this it is necessary to have a clear conceptual understanding of peacekeeping and the nexus between this practice and peacemaking and peacebuilding.