CSP Concept List

Negotiation

A process of communication between parties with differing or conflicting positions aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable joint decision. Central to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Arbitration

A judicial procedure where a third party delivers a binding verdict, and both parties have committed to accept it in advance. Legalistic and final.

Mediation

A political process where a third party helps conflicting sides reach a settlement acceptable to both, while also serving their own interests. Ranges from passive to highly involved.

Major power

A powerful state engaged in mediation or peacebuilding to protect regional/global interests, deny rivals influence, or maintain strategic roles.

Small/medium-sized powers

Less influential states that mediate or support peace to avoid conflict spillover, boost prestige, and support international norms.

International organisations

Entities like the UN, EU, and NGOs that engage in peacebuilding based on charters, moral goals, or filling in for others.

Parties and partialities

Actors in a conflict with varied interests. Their perception of mediator fairness (partiality) affects the legitimacy of the process.

Weaker vs stronger parties

Power imbalance in a conflict where stronger sides may resist compromise, and weaker parties may seek mediation for balance.

Partiality and acceptability

Mediators are rarely neutral. Their success depends on being acceptable to all sides despite possible bias.

Timing (and ripeness)

The idea that mediation works best when both sides are in a "mutually hurting stalemate" and ready for change.

Modes of mediation – communication

Low-involvement mode where the mediator simply transmits messages between parties.

Modes of mediation – formulation

Mediator helps frame the problem and propose ideas, playing a more active role in negotiation.

Modes of mediation – manipulation

Mediator uses pressure or incentives to influence outcomes. Highest level of involvement.

Power and leverage

The mediator’s ability to influence parties by shaping choices or outcomes through soft or hard means.

Persuasion

Convincing parties that a peaceful solution is more favorable than conflict.

Expertise

Mediator’s use of knowledge, credibility, or connections to influence the process.

Termination

The threat or act of withdrawing from the mediation to signal dissatisfaction or apply pressure.

Limitation

The ability to block or restrict other paths or opportunities for the conflicting parties.

Deprivation

The ability to withhold or shift important resources away from one or more parties.

Gratification

The ability to offer rewards, support, or incentives to influence party behavior.

International peacebuilding

Efforts to prevent, manage, and recover from conflict through diplomacy, development, justice, and reform.

International architecture of peacebuilding

The network of global actors (e.g. UN, donors, NGOs) coordinating efforts for peace in a coherent, complementary way.

Liberal state-building model

A peacebuilding model focused on building democratic institutions, rule of law, and free markets. Often externally driven.

Top-down approach

Peace or statebuilding strategies imposed or led by outside or central authorities, often with little local input.

Bottom-up approach

Peacebuilding led by local actors, communities, or NGOs focused on relationships and local legitimacy.

Democratizations

The process of promoting democratic structures, elections, and institutions, often after conflict.

Transitional societies

States moving from conflict or authoritarianism to peace or democracy. Often fragile and lacking institutional capacity.

Statebuilding/peacebuilding

Statebuilding focuses on institutional creation; peacebuilding emphasizes relationship transformation and societal healing.

International security

A condition of managed conflict through negotiation and diplomacy rather than through military dominance.

Security Sector Reform (SSR)

Reforming military, police, and justice institutions to be effective, accountable, and rights-based.

Minimalist DDR

Focuses on immediate removal of combatants and weapons to prevent return to violence (security first).

Maximalist DDR

Includes long-term transformation: training, jobs, and full reintegration into civilian life (development focus).

Development perspectives

Focuses on long-term economic and social change, not just short-term stability, in peacebuilding.

Disarmament

Collection, control, and destruction of weapons from ex-combatants as the first phase of DDR.

Demobilization

Formal disbandment of armed groups, including registration, cantonment, and discharge support.

Reintegration

The process of helping ex-combatants re-enter society economically, socially, and politically.

Eligibility criteria

The standards for who qualifies for DDR benefits. Poor criteria can lead to manipulation or exclusion.

Weapons economy and culture of guns

A context where guns are tied to identity, power, or income, complicating disarmament and reintegration.

Cantonment

Temporary camps for demobilizing combatants during DDR, used for processing, counseling, and logistics.

Reintegration – economic

Equipping ex-combatants with jobs, skills, and livelihoods.

Reintegration – social

Helping former fighters return to family and community life with acceptance.

Reintegration – political

Including ex-combatants in political and civic life to build ownership and legitimacy.

Liberal democratic states

States characterized by elections, rule of law, and civil rights. Often the ideal model in peacebuilding efforts.

State-centric

Approaches that focus heavily on state institutions, often ignoring informal or non-state actors.

Integrated and holistic systems

The idea in SSR that security, justice, and governance are interconnected and must be reformed together.

The ‘train and equip’ focus

A limited approach where donors provide military aid or police gear without institutional reform or accountability.

Recipient actors

Local governments or institutions that are expected to own and implement reforms, though often with limited capacity or will.

Monopoly model

Top-down SSR model focusing on centralized state control and formal structures.

Good enough model

Flexible and pragmatic SSR model that adapts to real-world complexity and interim solutions.

Hybrid model

SSR approach that blends state and non-state actors in co-governance of security and justice based on what actually works.