September 2012

Improving the Peace Process: Considering Ideational Stakes in Conflicts

This policy brief presents insights and recommendations gleaned from a cross-comparison of eight case studies analyzing how differing interests influence violent conflict. The cases examined are the Basque Country conflict in Spain, the Franco-Prussian enmity from 1872 to 1914, the Israel-Palestine conflict, territorial dispute over Kashmir, the Mexican Drug War, the Troubles of Northern Ireland, civil war in Sierra Leone and the Sudanese civil wars. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of intangible ideas and concepts such as social justice, personal identity and fear as central factors in these conflicts.

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