Generalizations and practical applications

Abstract

We hope this collection of essays, and its case studies, analyses and lessons, will contribute to peace zone theory and also have a practical use for people in current and future zones of peace. The broad range of perspectives presented here lends itself more to raising questions than to drawing definitive conclusions. But these essays do offer suggestions to others who would attempt to create zones of peace. The questions raised in these essays might serve as a checklist of factors for analysts and practitioners to consider when working with a zone of peace. While no “lesson learned” in one zone will be directly transferable to another, it may nevertheless be helpful even in building quite a different zone. Reviewing the zones of peace described here reveals some characteristics all zones of peace share. As Arie Kacowicz notes, when discussing geographic zones that avoid interstate wars, no single variable accounts for the maintenance ofthat peace. All zones of peace are affected by factors reflecting their creation, nature, dynamics, and impacts.