Challenges of Constructing Legitimacy in Peacebuilding ─ Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone, and East Timor

Peacebuilding is a critical issue in world politics. Surprisingly, however, there has not been a full examination of concrete policies and implementation strategies to generate legitimacy in "host states" by either international relations (IR) theorists or practitioners.

The objective of this book is to develop an understanding of the mechanisms for constructing—or eroding—the legitimacy of newly created governments in post-conflict peacebuilding environments. The book argues that although existing accounts in the literature contend that compliance with key political programs, and constructing legitimacy in peacebuilding, largely depend on the levels of force (guns) and resource distribution (money) aimed at people who are governed, there are other significant factors, such as inclusive governments reconciling with old enemies, and the substantial role of international organizations (IOs) as credible third parties to establish fairness and impartiality within the political process. Highashi focuses on an in-depth analysis of the challenges involved in creating a legitimate government in Afghanistan, focusing on disarmament programs with powerful warlords, and the reconciliation efforts with the insurgency, especially the Taliban. In the conclusion the book also examines three complimentary cases—Iraq, East Timor, and Sierra Leone—which consistently support the argument presented earlier

This work will be of interest to students and scholars of peacebuilding and conflict resolution as well as international relations more broadly.

Dr. Daisaku Higashi is an associate professor in Human Security Program at Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the University of Tokyo. He started his career at the Japan Public TV Station(NHK) and directed numerous TV documentaries, including "Rebuilding Iraq: Challenge of the United Nations," that received the silver medal from the UN Correspondents Association in 2004, acknowledging it as the second-best report on the UN in the world. Then, he completed M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Political Science at the University of British Columbia in Canada. After his doctoral field research, he consulted on his Afghan policy recommendation of creating a new reconciliation mechanism with top government officials in both Japan and the United States, including the Japanese foreign minister and the US deputy special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan; his policy recommendation was adopted as one of three key components for the Japanese government on Afghanistan in 2009. Then, he worked in Kabul as a team leader for reconciliation and reintegration in the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), engaging in creating the reconciliation mechanism. From 2012 to 2014, he served as a minister-counsellor in the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, directing the Japan’s activities in relation to the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). He has published numerous books in Japan, including "Heiwa Kouchiku (Peacebuilding) (Iwanami 2009).