The impact of social policy on sustainable peacebuilding - the case of Кosovo

• Main Author: Novica Nakov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Philosophy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje 2012-12-01
• Series: Bezbednosni Dijalozi
• Subjects: kosovo; economic policy; neoliberalism; peace building; social policy
• Online Access: http://periodica.fzf.ukim.edu.mk/sd/SD%2003.2%20(2012)/SD%2003.2.11%20Nakov,%20N.%20-%20PEACEBUILDING%20-%20THE%20CASE%20OF%20KOSOVO.pdf
• ISSN: 1857-7172; 1857-8055

This paper examines some of the contradictions that arise as a result of policies implemented during the peacebuilding process in relation to the underlying goal of building positive peace. Previous research in the field of social policy provides evidence that social policy is a useful instrument for the improvement of socio-economic conditions for large groups of people in a country. The analysis of the case of Kosovo presented here suggests that countries that have experienced conflict do not put attention or effort towards systematic use of these instruments and that the typical usage is that of ad-hoc, short-term policies whose long-term effects are questionable. I argue that the existing trend of guiding the peacebuilding process by a neoliberal agenda is at least part of the reason why instruments of social policy are limited and narrow. As a result, counterintuitively, the welfare of citizens turns out not on the top of the list of priorities. To overcome this situation, I argue that intervention is needed in three areas: first, those peace accords consider the long-term goals of a society they are aimed at, second, that similar awareness and subsequent adjustment of policies must exist among the international organizations involved in the peacebuilding operations, and third that, broad and in-depth inclusion of state-level and local communities must be ensured.