Civil society, conflict and violence : insights from the CIVICUS civil society index project / edited by Wolfgang Dörner and Regina A. List.

"This book looks at the role that civil society organizations play in dealing with conflict and violence. The authors argue that in most of the prevalent conceptualizations the conflict dimension of civil society is either downplayed or inadequately addressed. They contend that the ability to deal with conflict is at the heart of organized civil society; in the political process, one of civil society's key functions is to express and mediate between different interests, thus contributing to political decision-making. The chapters draw on detailed, empirical data from the CIVICUS Civil Society Index - a unique comparative data-set drawn from 25 countries, which has not previously been made publicly available. It examines the different ways violence has been manifested in civil societies, the meaning of violent protest and the impact of security legislation that might hinder the mediating efforts of civil society. The book offers a sophisticated comparison between conflict and post-conflict countries and an analysis of the role of civil society in conflict resolution, reconciliation and transitional justice."--Publisher's website.

Civil Society, Conflict and Violence: An Introduction / Wolfgang Dörner and Regina A List -- Measuring Civil Society Globally with the CSI / Michael Hoelscher and Thomas Laux -- Exploring Civil Society in Conflict and Post-Conflict Countries: A Continuum to Peace / Tracy Anderson -- An Exploratory Analysis of Civil Society and Transitional Justice / Tricia D Olsen, Leigh A Payne and Andrew G Reiter -- Civil society, Conflict Resolution and Post-conflict Reconstruction in Kosovo and Liberia / David Kode -- The Law, Security and Civil Society Freedoms / Brett J Kyle and Mandeep S Tiwana -- Violence in Civil Society: Insights from the CIVICUS Civil Society Index Databases / Anaël Labigne and Anne Nassauer -- Conclusion / Wolfgang Dörner and Regina A List.