Publication

This paper discusses the liberal peacebuilding model in the context of local ownership and context. As such it focuses on reasons for past failures and locates these in the lack of localization and contextualization. The author examines why, despite recognition of their importance, these principles do not shape peacebuilding in practice. The author concludes that practitioners continue to rely excessively on universal principles and fail to build expertise and legitimacy in the post-conflict country in question.