Thinking about Peace Research in 21st Century Latin America (December 2012 Special Issue)

The idea for this special issue originated from the Latin American Research Group (LARG) of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford. The Group was initiated and is run by PhD researchers, working on different aspects of peace and conflict issues in Latin America. With the forthcoming publication we would like to initiate a debate beyond the boundaries of our institution on what such a perspective can add to research on Latin America.

Theme of the Special Issue

With the end of military dictatorships in the Southern Cone and the signing of peace accords after Central American civil wars, most conflicts in Latin America were assumed to belong to the past. Consequently, the region has been overlooked by peace research. Nevertheless, in many countries of the region violence has only further escalated in the last 30 years. Countries such as Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico are now considered to be some of the most violent countries in the world. Fuelling both violent conflict and structural injustice is economic inequality together with impunity, lack of rule of law, and continuing human rights abuses. These issues prompted various theoretical explanations.  But a Peace Studies perspective that challenged prevalent definitions of war, conflict and peace is missing from these explanations.

This Special Issue invites critical and innovative contributions on distinct Peace Studies perspectives into issues impacting the region. Peace Studies, here, is understood as a multidisciplinary field that explores and understands conflict and its structural issues. Submission should contribute to raising new awareness of continuing and new conflicts in the region. At the same time, options to overcome conflicts could be analysed, and examples of encouraging work for peace may be presented. We particularly urge young researchers and practitioners to submit academic articles, fieldwork reports, and book reviews in English. Some examples of thematic aspects include:

• Regional development and conflict resolution/prevention
• Peacebuilding and political systems
• Critical theories and concepts of Peace Research applied to Latin America (e.g. structural violence, positive peace, conflict transformation, power and empowerment)
• The role of the State in the reproduction of violence
• Peace, restorative justice, and reconciliation
• Economic inequality and social (in)justice
• Civil society and social mobilisation
• The impact of conflict on societies (focussing on areas such as gender, ethnicity, and race)

More information

www.peacestudiesjournal.org.uk

Deadline for Submission: 1^st June 2012

Release: December 2012

Papers must be in English and should be submitted to: editor@peacestudiesjournal.org.uk

Please follow the submission guidelines in the Notes to Contributors section.