A Synopsis of Perspectives on Peace Operations from Theories of International Relations

Abstract

The post-Cold War era has witnessed a significant increase in the size and scope of peace operations. However, the role and purpose of peace operations have not received commensurate attention within the intellectual context of theories of international relations. Comprehension of theoretical foundations of international relations is quintessential in understanding the motives behind, and implications of third-party intervention in the quest for a viable peace. This paper presents a synopsis of major theoretical paradigms in world politics with particular emphasis on their understanding of and implications for contemporary peace operations. The paper strives to delineate the main planks of a particular theoretical paradigm with special reference to the underpinnings of peace operations. Towards the end, the possibility of training peacekeepers to serve as a bridge between the theory and practice of peace operations has been explored. The research findings shall serve the purpose of filling a theoretical gap in peace operations studies and shall decipher the theoretical basis of the acerbic arguments against peace operations espoused by the obstructionists to the peace processes.