Author Description

The Sage Handbook of Peace and Conflict Studies offers a comprehensive exploration of the complexities of violence, conflict, and peace from a global, interdisciplinary perspective. The handbook addresses the traditional Western-centric approach while emphasizing the need to integrate Global South perspectives to create a more inclusive and transformative understanding of peace and conflict. While important voices in peace and conflict studies have long stressed the need to not only address direct violence but also structural and cultural one, certain strands of the field have upheld conservative knowledge production and reinforced unequal power structures. This volume seeks to challenge these biasesby foregrounding critical and decolonial approaches that emphasize gender, race, culture, global history, and political economy. Its diverse chapters invite us to question mainstream assumptions and promote a broader, more inclusive analysis of peace and conflict. The handbook explores the evolution of the field, highlighting the impact of historical events and the role of oppositional knowledge in political change. It offers a critical overview of theoretical approaches, emphasizing reflexivity, inclusivity, and the importance of local actors in peace and conflict dynamics. Additionally, it examines how cultural and disciplinary assumptions shape peacebuilding and conflict transformation, and it critiques traditional global narratives on issues like governance, climate change, and human rights. Finally, the handbook presents real-world case studies that integrate themes of decoloniality, race, gender, and power inequalities across diverse global contexts. By centering the Global South and integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, this handbook provides valuable insights for scholars and practitioners committed to fostering a more equitable and just world. Section 1: History, Knowledge, and Power in Peace and Conflict