Introduction

Abstract

Recent developments and debates have outlined the need for more interdisciplinary work in international relations and peace and conflict studies. Scholars, students and policy makers are often disillusioned with universalist and Northern-dominated approaches, in terms of methodology and epistemology.¹ Universal blueprints on how to promote, build and sustain peace have to contend with not only ineffective policy designs, but also resistance within their ‘subject’ populations.² What is needed is a better understanding of the variations of peace and its building blocks, both theoretically, in different academic disciplines, and empirically, across different regions, in order to promote a more differentiated notion of peace based on comparative analysis.³ Such an aim points to significant methodological requirements.⁴