From wars to complex political emergencies: understanding conflict and peace-building in the new world disorder

In recent decades the nature of large-scale violent conflict has fundamenta lly changed from an el a of 'wars' to one that is characterised by complex political emergencies (CPEs). A number of conceptual shifts have occurred i n the attempt to better under-stand the nature of these multiple 'small war s'. Classic analytical frameworks focusing on the relationships between sta tes, military capacities and strategies and international political economy are being put aside for more eclectic frameworks. These draw heavily on so cial and cultural theory, blend different theoretical elements together to analyse different situations, relate conflict to development and point to t he inherent unpredictability of conflict processes and outcomes. This paper reviews these contemporary approaches to conflict and peacebuilding and co mments on their implications for external agencies seeking to resolve confl ict.