Description
Peacebuilding processes throughout history have encountered blockages, spoilers, and setbacks; this is also evident in the liberal peace framework's efforts. The failures of liberal peace have drawn attention to local peace efforts; nevertheless, both liberal and local peace efforts have faced peace blockages. In local efforts, these peace blockages often stem from elite capture or top-level actors. They are hindered by a significant power imbalance, which makes it challenging to build a durable peace. An analysis of these counter-peace dynamics is necessary for finding new and creative alternatives. I argue that these alternatives stem from local efforts, such as those in communities in Chiapas and Michoacán, Mexico, and in many other regions with resistance and governance alternatives. I develop this argument through a revision of the failures of liberal peace, the local turn and the peace blockages. Pointing out the relevance of resistance for emancipatory movements and alternatives brought from local communities, pointing out two examples in Mexico: Chilón and Cherán.
