This essay offers some insights into the general trends regarding the success or otherwise of contemporary peace processes and then focus on the centrality of the peace agreement to the peace process.
The distinction between these two closely related but commonly confused dimensions of war-to-peace transitions is critical in gaining a better understanding of what accounts for their success or failure and which particular factors are receptive to mitigation – either to enhance the likelihood of success or to minimise the risk of failure.
After three short empirical illustrations of the peace processes in Colombia, South Sudan and Ukraine, the essay concludes with broader reflections on the management of peace processes.
