Cloaking Neo-Imperialism in the Shadows of Human Rights and Liberal Peacebuilding

Abstract

The concept of intervention to curtail humanitarian crisis in conflict zones has generated a great deal of polemics on the matters of state sovereignty, human rights, democracy and even the legitimacy of liberal peacebuilding. These discussions often include the justification or otherwise of both political and militarised interventions. While interventionism has become the most common approach by world powers, the concept of liberal peace building with its cloaked connotation of fostering and sustaining tranquillity and curtailing humanitarian crisis is seen by many as lacking in the not only the protection of people but also in ensuring sustainable peace. The view of some scholars is that, intervention in the name of humanitarianism raises so many questions as world powers continue resorting to militarised approaches that do not translate to the welfare of those they claim to protect. Instead, the outcome has been largely a convoluted and surging circle of crisis across many corners of the world.

Keywords: Conflict, Intervention, Humanitarian, Law, Protection, Sovereignty

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/88-08

Publication date: August 31^st 2019