Compendium of converging powers : a critical introspection on the hybridity of peacebuilding in Southern Philippines
(2025)
Files
Libut_ThesisManuscript.pdf
Closed Access - Adobe PDF
- 1.34 MB
Details
- Authors
- Supervisors
- Liégeois, Michel
- Abstract
- This thesis examines the intricate dynamics of hybrid peacebuilding, focusing on the convergence of powers within post-conflict settings, particularly in Southern Philippines. Hybrid peacebuilding, characterized by the interplay between local traditions and global norms, operates within a contested and dynamic space where multiple actors — state authorities, insurgent groups, local strongmen, NGOs, and international organizations — vie for influence and legitimacy. Drawing on extensive qualitative research, including ethnographic fieldwork and key informant interviews, this study explores how power asymmetries manifest, how actors engage in political maneuvering to navigate frictions, and how these frictions serve as functional elements rather than impediments in peacebuilding processes. Central to this thesis is the notion that convergence of powers is both inevitable and essential in hybrid peacebuilding. The study challenges traditional assumptions that power must be isolated or opposed, instead arguing that the convergence of diverse powers, often perceived as frictions, can lead to enhanced cooperation, strategic recalibrations, and innovative governance structures. This convergence, while fraught with tension and contestation, provides opportunities for stakeholders to negotiate and adapt, fostering more context-sensitive and inclusive peacebuilding outcomes. Through the case study of Southern Philippines, the thesis illustrates how hybrid peacebuilding actors, such as the European Union and its partner NGOs, function as norm entrepreneurs, employing a blend of material, normative, and adaptive strategies to engage with local systems. It highlights the importance of memory and transitional justice in addressing historical grievances and establishing pathways for reconciliation. However, it also recognizes the resistance posed by entrenched political elites and cultural traditions, which shape the trajectories of power convergence. The theoretical framework integrates insights from hybridity, power dynamics, and the dialectics of conflict, presenting a nuanced understanding of how contestations and collaborations shape peacebuilding outcomes. By viewing frictions as drivers of progress rather than obstacles, the thesis reframes the complexities of hybrid peacebuilding as opportunities for deepening purpose and refining function. Ultimately, this research contributes to the evolving discourse on peace and conflict studies by emphasizing the inevitability of converging powers in hybrid peacebuilding. It advocates for leveraging these dynamics to foster sustainable peace, inclusive governance, and transformative social change. The findings offer valuable implications for both scholars and practitioners, underscoring the need to embrace pragmatism, resilience, and cooperation as guiding principles in navigating the complexities of hybrid peacebuilding.
- Affiliations
Citations
Libut, J. E. (2025). Compendium of converging powers : a critical introspection on the hybridity of peacebuilding in Southern Philippines. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/245761