About Book

This book critically examines the role of local leadership in international peacebuilding efforts, questioning the dominant paradigm that external actors should guide democratic transitions. Chavanne L. Peercy provides an in-depth analysis of Cambodia, Liberia, and Burundi, exploring how local leaders navigate, resist, or adapt international peacebuilding strategies. Through case studies, the book highlights the tensions between international peacebuilding frameworks and local political realities, emphasizing the importance of indigenous leadership in shaping stable governance post-conflict. Peercy argues that international interventions often operate under a one-size-fits-all model, ignoring historical, cultural, and political complexities unique to each region. With ongoing conflicts and democratic struggles in Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sudan, and post-war Ukraine, this book’s insights into the necessity of local leadership in peacebuilding are crucial. It challenges the effectiveness of top-down international interventions, making it highly applicable to contemporary peace efforts and rehabilitation programs worldwide.Its comparative case study approach enhances its applicability to modern peacebuilding strategies.