International Peace-Making—Creating Post-Conflict Structures of Government

The means by which ethno-religious conflicts are resolved must themselves be “peace-ful”. So arbitration must be neutral, i.e., international. And discussions must involve not just the combatants but also representatives of those in civil society who are not involved in the conflict. After much shuttle diplomacy perhaps, they must all come together to reach a settlement. In other words, they should talk with each other. If need be, they might also vote, “peace-fully”, not (for-or-)against each other; indeed, most conflicts are binary, so any use of a divisive binary vote is likely to be inappropriate. Instead, they should vote, again with each other, so resort can be made, to an inclusive preferential ballot, and in fact, with such a procedure, an agreement may be more possible. In like manner, the processes by which are chosen, firstly, the above representatives of all of society, and secondly, those who will rule in the initial and subsequent post-conflict administrations, should also be peaceful. Thirdly, the system of governance must allow for the inclusion of all major groupings, and former enemies must come to some sort of arrangement in which power is shared and in which decision-making on all matters of contention involves compromise. Accordingly, this article first reflects on some of the underlying problems in majoritarian structures of governance, for these often exacerbate tensions and, in the worst scenarios, actually provoke conflict. Next, the text considers the principles on which to base a post-conflict society. And finally, it outlines a suitable political structure.