Polycentric Peace

Abstract Peace is commonly viewed in social theory as a necessary task for the state. But is there a pathway to promote peace without undue reliance upon vulnerable, if not failure-prone, state-centric law and order mechanisms? This paper responds in the affirmative by presenting a framework of “polycentric peace.” Inspired by the works of Elinor and Vincent Ostrom, polycentric peace identifies the indispensable and often everyday roles of individuals and non-state groups in resolving conflicts and creating pathways for peaceful relationships. The promotion of peace through settings as diverse as civic associations and markets will be highlighted. Emphasizing human interactivity as instrumental to realizing peaceful outcomes, polycentric peace underlines the discovery of and learning about peacebuilding processes relevant to circumstances of time, place, and context. Polycentric interpretations of peace processes can be a viable alternative to centralized, state-sponsored efforts to facilitate peace.