How Many Turns Make a Revolution? Whither the 'Dialogue of the Deaf' Between Peacebuilding Scholars and Practitioners

The past two decades have witnessed myriad 'turns' in peacebuilding scholarship. This article explores these 'turns' and questions their influence on peacebuilding practice - whether intended or not. It examines the features of academia under late capitalism that contribute to this, asks if these shifts are comprehensible to the agents of peacebuilding and whether implementers are willing and/or able to listen anyway. It posits that scholars and practitioners find themselves in a 'dialogue of the deaf' aruging that unless this is transformed then conflict-affected societies will see little benefit from the clever pirouettes occurring in the comfort of the ivory tower.

Automated summary

This article explores the various 'turns' in peacebuilding scholarship over the past two decades and questions their impact on peacebuilding practice, whether intentional or unintentional. It examines the characteristics of academia under late capitalism that contribute to these shifts, and asks whether practitioners of peacebuilding can understand and are willing to listen to these changes. The article argues that scholars and practitioners are engaged in a 'dialogue of the deaf', suggesting that unless this is transformed, conflict-affected societies will not benefit from the intellectual debates in academia.