[TimorLesteStudies] New article: Chesterman: Ownership in Theory and in Practice: Transfer of Authority in UN Statebuilding Operations

[Bu Wilson]

Ownership in Theory and in Practice: Transfer of Authority in UN
Statebuilding Operations
Author: Simon Chesterman
DOI: 10.1080/17502970601075873

Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, Volume 1, Issue 1 March 2007 ,
pages 3 - 26




Abstract
The language of 'ownership' is commonly used in statebuilding operations,
but it is not clear that the term has either consistency or substance. It
certainly does not have its literal meaning, in the sense of rights of
possession either of property or a formal stake in an organization, such as
shares in a corporation. Instead ownership tends to be used figuratively -
much as 'buy-in' in this context usually does not suggest an actual
financial transaction - to refer in a more vague way to the relationship
between stakeholders, with meanings ranging from a sense of attachment to a
programme or operation, to (rarely) actual controlling authority. This essay
explores how ownership emerged as a shibboleth of the development community
and how it has influenced UN statebuilding operations. The emphasis will be
on rule of law institutions, but the critique of ownership applies to
post-conflict operations more generally.

Keywords: development; ownership; post-conflict reconstruction;
statebuilding; United Nations peace operations


Bu Wilson
Regulatory  Institutions Network (RegNet) College of Asia and the Pacific,
RSPAS Australian National University 
Canberra   ACT   0200 
AUSTRALIA 

T: 02 6125 3194
F: 02 6125 1507
M: 0407 087 086
E: Bu.Wilson at anu.edu.au



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