In the pursuit of peace and profit : understanding the role of the private sector through a holistic approach to peacebuilding

Only abstract. Paper copies of master’s theses are listed in the Helka database (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Electronic copies of master’s theses are either available as open access or only on thesis terminals in the Helsinki University Library.Vain tiivistelmä. Sidottujen gradujen saatavuuden voit tarkistaa Helka-tietokannasta (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Digitaaliset gradut voivat olla luettavissa avoimesti verkossa tai rajoitetusti kirjaston opinnäytekioskeilla.Endast sammandrag. Inbundna avhandlingar kan sökas i Helka-databasen (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Elektroniska kopior av avhandlingar finns antingen öppet på nätet eller endast tillgängliga i bibliotekets avhandlingsterminaler.The general aim of this thesis is to further the understanding of the connections between how we conceptualise peace and peacebuilding in theory, and the focus of the activities in practice. It is argued in this thesis that peace exists on a spectrum and that is space in which conflict can be addressed in non-violent means. This follows from the contention that conflict is not a negative element, but instead a natural and even desirable part of society. How we address and resolve conflict is what makes the difference. It is also argued that peacebuilding must be seen as an eco-system where peace should be furthered at all levels and in all sections of society. Further from this, this through developing a holistic understanding of peace and peacebuilding, this thesis aims to understand the positive potential of the private sector in peacebuilding. Recently the role of both the local and international private sector has begun to be analysed in terms of its role in conflict creation and in peacebuilding. Positive results of the private sector in peacebuilding have been documented. However, it appears that in a broader sense the attempt to understand why this might be the case is lacking. It is thus the intention here to attempt to provide one possible theoretical tool for analysing the role of the private sector in peacebuilding. In order to be able to utilise the positive potential of the private sector we have to be able to understand why some of the positive results may have come about. Marie Dugan s nested theory of conflict is used as an analytical tool to examine the case of the specialty coffee sector in Rwanda in the post-1994 genocide period. The nested theory is comprised of four levels; the system, issue, relationship and sub-system levels. The argument presented in this thesis is that within the larger sphere of peacebuilding, the private sector operates within the sub-system. That is, that the local private sector can provide a microcosm for addressing structure, issue and relationship elements of a conflict. This nests the private sector within the larger peacebuilding process rather than having it outside of, or subsequent to, the more formal process. It is also argued that placing the private sector within the sub-system allows for a more local peacebuilding process. The specialty coffee sector is shown to have to some extent addressed issue, relationship and structure elements that can be attributed to the outbreak of violent conflict in 1994. While a significant number of problems still exist in terms of peacebuilding in Rwanda, the private sector was drawn into the peacebuilding process early and it has created a microcosm that has moved successfully towards the more peaceful end of the peace spectrum. The thesis uses peace and peacebuilding literature to develop the theoretical framework. For the analysis of the case reports, newspaper articles and other related materials are used