Parliaments as Peacebuilders in Conflict-Affected Countries

O'Brien (World Bank Institute's Parliamentary Strengthening Program), Stapenhurst (World Bank Institute's governance team), and Johnston (a former director of programs at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association) collect 17 papers that explore the role of parliaments in conflict-affected countries. General papers discuss the nexus among parliaments, poverty reduction, and conflict prevention; the design of parliamentary representation; how to advance parliament's legislative function and strengthen parliamentary oversight in conflict-affected societies; gender dimensions of conflict and the role of parliaments; parliamentary promotion of socioeconomic equality; macroeconomic challenges and parliaments; and regional parliamentary peacebuilding and engagement with international organizations. Also included are papers discussing the creation of a shared parliament in Northern Ireland, parliamentary oversight of defense in South Africa, the role of the Rwandan parliament in conflict prevention, military intervention in Thai parliamentary democracy, and the role of the Finnish parliament in international conflict prevention and crisis management. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)