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From "Peacekept" to Peacekeeper : Seeking International Status by Narrating New Identities

Wilen, Nina LU (2022) In Journal of Global Security Studies 7(1).
Abstract

This article examines how post-conflict states attempt to increase international status by transforming their identities from "peacekept"to "peacekeepers."It focuses on the discursive side of identity construction and increases understanding of how post-conflict troop contributing countries (PCTCC) seek status on the international arena not only by "doing"peacekeeping but also by "narrating"their roles and identities as peacekeepers. A comparative case study of two PCTCC, Burundi and Rwanda, is used to illustrate the argument. By analyzing official discourses from the two cases through a theoretical framework, which combines social identity theory with narrative approaches, it is first argued that PCTCC seek status and a new identity... (More)

This article examines how post-conflict states attempt to increase international status by transforming their identities from "peacekept"to "peacekeepers."It focuses on the discursive side of identity construction and increases understanding of how post-conflict troop contributing countries (PCTCC) seek status on the international arena not only by "doing"peacekeeping but also by "narrating"their roles and identities as peacekeepers. A comparative case study of two PCTCC, Burundi and Rwanda, is used to illustrate the argument. By analyzing official discourses from the two cases through a theoretical framework, which combines social identity theory with narrative approaches, it is first argued that PCTCC seek status and a new identity through peacekeeping contribution in part, to underline their sovereignty and safeguard their domestic affairs from outside interference. Second, to successfully seek status, the narratives need to show coherence and be co-constituted by other international actors. The analysis underlines post-conflict states' agency in identity construction and peacekeeping as an international practice to acquire status and legitimacy in international relations.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
identity, narrative, peacekeeping, peacekept, status
in
Journal of Global Security Studies
volume
7
issue
1
article number
ogab030
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • scopus:85134368194
ISSN
2057-3189
DOI
10.1093/jogss/ogab030
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
781efdc8-b2aa-4338-a505-d53a47ee2947
date added to LUP
2022-08-24 16:08:34
date last changed
2023-01-25 10:05:01
@article{781efdc8-b2aa-4338-a505-d53a47ee2947,
  abstract     = {{<p>This article examines how post-conflict states attempt to increase international status by transforming their identities from "peacekept"to "peacekeepers."It focuses on the discursive side of identity construction and increases understanding of how post-conflict troop contributing countries (PCTCC) seek status on the international arena not only by "doing"peacekeeping but also by "narrating"their roles and identities as peacekeepers. A comparative case study of two PCTCC, Burundi and Rwanda, is used to illustrate the argument. By analyzing official discourses from the two cases through a theoretical framework, which combines social identity theory with narrative approaches, it is first argued that PCTCC seek status and a new identity through peacekeeping contribution in part, to underline their sovereignty and safeguard their domestic affairs from outside interference. Second, to successfully seek status, the narratives need to show coherence and be co-constituted by other international actors. The analysis underlines post-conflict states' agency in identity construction and peacekeeping as an international practice to acquire status and legitimacy in international relations.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wilen, Nina}},
  issn         = {{2057-3189}},
  keywords     = {{identity; narrative; peacekeeping; peacekept; status}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{Journal of Global Security Studies}},
  title        = {{From "Peacekept" to Peacekeeper : Seeking International Status by Narrating New Identities}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jogss/ogab030}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/jogss/ogab030}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}