The limits of technocracy and local encounters: The European Union and peacebuilding

ABSTRACT

This article is the conclusion to a special issue that examines the European Union (EU), peacebuilding, and “the local.” It argues that technocracy—particularly EU technocracy—shapes the extent to which local actors can hope to achieve ownership of externally funded and directed peace support projects and programs. Although some actors within the EU have worked hard to push localization agendas, a number of technocracy linked factors come together to limit the extent to which the EU can truly connect with the local level in its peace support activities. While the EU and other international actors have invested heavily into capacity building in conflict-affected contexts, the EU’s own capacity has not necessarily been built to address the scalar problem of accessing the local in ways that are meaningful.

KEYWORDS:

• European Union
• peacebuilding
• technocracy
• local
• ownership
• peace

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Roger Mac Ginty is Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Department of Politics and the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at the University of Manchester. He edits the Springer-Palgrave book series “Rethinking Political Violence” and edits the journal Peacebuilding (with Oliver Richmond). He is currently working on the EUNPACK EU Horizon 2020 project on EU Crisis Mechanisms.

Additional information

Funding

This article has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme [Grant Number 693337].