Description
Colonial hierarchies and their diverse manifestations in peace and conflict studies (PACS) have gradually moved to the forefront of scholarly attention. However, there have not been systematic efforts to question the epistemological, ontological and methodological foundations of PACS. The theoretical and conceptual frameworks devised to explain the realities of the Global North are now conveniently superimposed to study conflicts as ‘case studies’ in the Global South(s) including Africa, Latin America, South Asia or South-East Asia. This results in an explanatory deficit; the quest to understand and explain the conflictual realities of the Global South(s), the subtle distinctions which would have required indigenised conceptions and theorisations have been squeezed-into the specific conceptions and theories produced (by few) in the North. This necessitates the need to explore critical ‘alternative’ methodologies and praxis more strongly rooted in the ground-realities of the Global South to move towards pluriversal and relational peace. Building up on post/decolonial, feminist and queer methodologies, this contribution is an effort to facilitate dialogues and conversations to reiterate, examine, analyse colonial hierarchies in PACS and explore ways to deal with them through de/post-colonial praxis.
