Evolving Peacebuilding: Power Shifts and Institutional Adaptation

The field of global peacebuilding is at a critical juncture as varied actors and systems challenge and influence the established norms of international governance and security. This Research Topic focuses on how shifting global power dynamics affect peacebuilding efforts, particularly through the lens of institutional adaptation and contestation. Key concerns include the confrontation of liberal peace norms by emerging powers and the integration of diverse peacebuilding methodologies in the current multipolar context. The scrutiny of both historical and contemporary responses to these shifts highlights the evolving nature of peace and governance frameworks.

This Research Topic aims to dissect the complex interrelations between shifting power structures, evolving institutions, and peacebuilding practices. It seeks to address questions regarding how global governance frameworks adapt to or resist expanding demands for pluralized peace approaches, the impact of these adaptations on established power hierarchies, and the role of non-traditional actors in promoting alternative peace and governance visions.

To gather further insights into the contested and adaptive nature of institutions in global peacebuilding, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• The influence of emerging powers on traditional peacebuilding norms.
• Institutional resistance versus adaptation in response to global power shifts.
• Roles of non-traditional actors in shaping alternative visions of peace.
• Historical versus contemporary perspectives on institutional change in peace efforts.
• Implications of institutional transformations for global security and governance.

Researchers are invited to submit their findings in the form of original research, reviews, conceptual analyses, and case studies to enhance our understanding of these critical dynamics.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Global peacebuilding, shifting power dynamics, institutional adaptation, emerging powers, governance frameworks, non-traditional actors

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.