DEMILITARIZATION, DISARMAMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

In: Review of African political economy, Band 77, Heft 25, S. 409-430

Abstract

THEORIES OF HOW AND WHY VIOLENT CONFLICTS OCCUR GENERALLY DISTINGUISH BETWEEN STRUCTURAL FACTORS ON THE ONE HAND AND ACCELERATING OR TRIGGERING FACTORS ON THE OTHER. BY EXAMINING THE PROCESS OF DISARMAMENT AND DEMILITARIZATION WITHIN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGION, THIS ARTICLE SEEKS TO HIGHLIGHT THE CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN TREATING THE SYMPTOMS RATHER THAN THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF VIOLENCE. IT CONCLUDES WITH SOME LESSONS FROM THE REGION'S EXPERIENCE WHICH MIGHT BE PERTINENT TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATTEMPTS AT ESTABLISHING PEACE AND STABILITY IN FUTURE CONFLICT ZONES.