Top-down solutions or conflict resolution attempts led by external experts are often short-lived: after a limited period, the suppressed conflict starts to resurface or even explode once again. People become accustomed to living in a conflict-ridden environment. They adapt mentally and economically to the presence of conflict. When peace is suddenly “imposed” from the outside, people feel lost and disempowered in the new, unfamiliar, conflict-free environment. The challenge lies in transforming the sociopsychological environment into one that promotes peace. The complex systems approach has appeared useful in interrupting and preventing protracted conflicts (e.g., those in Mozambique and South Sudan). A specific approach driven by a particular mindset is required to establish the psychological context needed for peacemaking, called here a Peace-Oriented Mindset (POM). The process of constructing and validating the proposed POM questionnaire is delineated. The three basic dimensions (cognitive, performative, and doability) were confirm by factor analysis. Cross-segment analysis revealed that women achieved significantly higher POM scores than men.

This chapter does not advocate for one particular brand of realism as the supreme analytical tool.Instead, it presents a synthesis of theories across International Relations to explore the various factors that shape how states and nonstate actors approach peace.No one theory is “the best” at explaining peacekeeping and peacemaking.Rather, each theory provides a piece of the puzzle that explains peace as a dependent variable.This chapter begins by defining realism and integrating the various subtheories of realism to provide a framework to explain when actors choose cooperation over conflict.It frames the discussion in the context of realist strategies for maintaining peace and resolving conflicts. The synergistic cross-paradigmatic approach I propose explains how the various theories shape actor behavior, within the structure provided by realism. The chapter concludes by highlighting the outstanding shortfalls that remain in any peacebuilding approach