PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND PERPETUAL HUMAN FAILINGS: 'Are we all human, or are some more human than others?'

摘要

The relationship between peace support operations and the attainment of peace is generally accepted. This commentary began with the premise the relationship (deducing that one follows the other) is problematic, and went on to show this during the discussion of the concepts of peace support and peacekeeping operations. The subsequent discussion of the various types of peacekeeping models over time, i.e., first, second and third generation, provided some explanations and showed the complexity of peacekeeping and the challenges of controlling violence. When analysing conceptual issues, the commentary looked at some presuppositions regarding the attainment of peace through a lightly armed force, concern for the civilian population, and role of the external forces. The failure of peace support operations is not purely because of the nature of the concept alone, but also due to the nature of states, non-state actors, individuals and society - what the commentary calls 'a human failings matrix'. At this juncture, each of these factors plays a part in contributing towards an unsafe world. The society is particularly critical in this development. Therefore, for peace support operations to be successful, there is an urgent need for the dysfunctional factors presented in the matrix and then discussed, to be mitigated.