Conclusion: Theoretical and Policy Implications

Abstract

Empirical analyses of this volume highlight the importance of locals’ self-evaluation of peacebuilding process and outcomes. Positive evaluation would provide the locals with an incentive to remain in peacebuilding efforts. Additionally, whether pre-existed or newly created in the conflict, local institutions have potential to sustain communal peace by making collective action possible. The focus on these aspects of peacebuilding requires us to make much effort to collect and examine fine-grained data on subjective perception, covert interactions, and invisible preferences of the locals. While for this purpose, it is productive to promote the division of labor between rigorous empirical research and reality-founded policy-making/implementation, mutual understanding and interactions between these sectors are still needed to better design and implement peacebuilding activities.