Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MICROPOLPAX (Micro-level Politics of Peace)
Période du rapport: 2022-09-01 au 2024-08-31
Establishing sustainable peace that has the support of the population is a key aim of peace settlements. The costs of failure include increased deaths and internally displaced persons, as well as social and economic costs. Ultimately, the problem is a conflict trap, whereby conflict makes the conditions that lead to war even worse, thereby increasing the chances of war recurrence. Attention is thus turning to how to embed peace and ensure that peace endures. To date, much of the focus in peace building has been on peace agreements. However, peace agreements are elite pacts. We know little about how the people who are directly affected think about peace.
In an innovative research agenda, the project “Micro-level Politics of Peace” (MICROPOLPAX) puts citizens at the centre of the research. The study asks what peace means to individuals; when do they reject or support international norms such as respect for minorities, and justice; and what are the effects of these preferences. These questions are examined using survey data since advances in technology now allows for access to information through the privacy of internet surveys, along with advances in survey techniques that can reveal hidden opinions.
In an innovative research agenda, the project “Micro-level Politics of Peace” (MICROPOLPAX) puts citizens at the centre of the research. The study asks what peace means to individuals; when do they reject or support international norms such as respect for minorities, and justice; and what are the effects of these preferences. These questions are examined using survey data since advances in technology now allows for access to information through the privacy of internet surveys, along with advances in survey techniques that can reveal hidden opinions.
The project has resulted in a number of academic papers. These show that the war has increased feelings of patriotism. International norms such as justice or citizenship are viewed through the lens of victory. However, there is a disconnect between condemnation of issues such as corruption and the lack of support for changing one’s own behaviour. Three academic articles have been published and a further six are in advanced stages of development.
The knowledge gained through the project has been widely disseminated. The academic works have been presented at 15 conferences and workshops. An attractive and engaging online game was developed in order to engage participants in theoretical scenarios that test their view on international norms. The peacemaker quiz is available at this link: https://legacy.yoscenario.com/play/JtQbV8Z2HqWFrz18(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)
The researcher has taken part in private briefings to the Foreign Ministry of the Government of Norway and to the Peace Research Institute of Oslo. The presentation of some of the results was through an online seminar organized by the Mediation and Dialogue Research Center, International Relations department of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and swisspeace / University of Basel. This presented the article “Perceptions of peace in times of war: Public opinion evidence from Ukraine” to a policy-orientated audience. There were 83 participants including representatives of the Ukrainian parliament and peace negotiators working in Nigeria and South Sudan. The researcher also took part in informative roundtables that are open to the public.
The knowledge gained through the project has been widely disseminated. The academic works have been presented at 15 conferences and workshops. An attractive and engaging online game was developed in order to engage participants in theoretical scenarios that test their view on international norms. The peacemaker quiz is available at this link: https://legacy.yoscenario.com/play/JtQbV8Z2HqWFrz18(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)
The researcher has taken part in private briefings to the Foreign Ministry of the Government of Norway and to the Peace Research Institute of Oslo. The presentation of some of the results was through an online seminar organized by the Mediation and Dialogue Research Center, International Relations department of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and swisspeace / University of Basel. This presented the article “Perceptions of peace in times of war: Public opinion evidence from Ukraine” to a policy-orientated audience. There were 83 participants including representatives of the Ukrainian parliament and peace negotiators working in Nigeria and South Sudan. The researcher also took part in informative roundtables that are open to the public.
The questions are tested in the timely case of Ukraine, a country currently at war and of crucial strategic importance to the European Union. MICROPOLPAX can thus generate relevant policy advice alongside the academic novelty. The work contributes towards European policy objectives and strategies and will have an impact on policy making because it informs on attitudes within Ukraine towards the Russian war in Ukraine. These views are important to inform 1) peace-making possibilities and 2) post-war reconstruction and reform. In particular, one article addresses what Ukrainians mean by peace and under what conditions these views can be shifted. One article addresses Ukrainians’ views on corruption and reforms and another addresses Ukrainians’ views on tax. These provide important knowledge for the post-war reforms and for Ukraine’s accession talks with the EU. One article looks at Ukrainians’ views on those who collaborated during the war and a further article examines Ukrainians’ views on societal cohesion. These provide important knowledge for the post-war reconstruction of society and for social cohesion.
The contribution to the state of the art is to provide analysis of public opinion during a “hot” conflict. Most research is carried out after a conflict has finished, or in low-level conflicts, so it is innovative to have information about public opinion during an on-going interstate war.
The contribution to the state of the art is to provide analysis of public opinion during a “hot” conflict. Most research is carried out after a conflict has finished, or in low-level conflicts, so it is innovative to have information about public opinion during an on-going interstate war.