What's the difference between these two types? On the surface, it would seem that both are all about bringing peace to a volatile situation. But in reality, and approach, the two concepts are quite distinct.
The problem with this sort of peace is that because the conflicts weren't resolved prior to the troops showing up, the anger, resentment and frustration from the unresolved conflict continues to build up. Eventually, those feelings to reach a boiling point and the parties turn on the supposed peacekeepers. At that point, the peacekeepers are no longer separate from the conflict. The peacekeepers have now become a party to the conflict, and the situation grows worse for everyone involved.
Resolving a conflict, by engaging all of the parties, is necessary if a lasting peace is to be found. But beyond just helping people resolve today's conflicts, the peacemaker should also teach those same people how to find resolutions to other, possibly future, conflicts.
The Peacekeeper
The name "Peacekeeper" implies that there is already a state of peace. But for a true state of peace to exist, there needs to have been a resolution to the conflicts that exists between parties. The United Nations employs troops from several different countries to act as peacekeepers. However, the situations in which the troops find themselves is not one where a resolution has been found, and a peace has been achieved. Instead, the troops are often used to impose a sort of peace.The problem with this sort of peace is that because the conflicts weren't resolved prior to the troops showing up, the anger, resentment and frustration from the unresolved conflict continues to build up. Eventually, those feelings to reach a boiling point and the parties turn on the supposed peacekeepers. At that point, the peacekeepers are no longer separate from the conflict. The peacekeepers have now become a party to the conflict, and the situation grows worse for everyone involved.
The Peacemaker
As opposed to the peacekeeper, the peacemaker acknowledges the conflict that exists. The peacemaker realizes that avoiding the confrontation needed to resolve a conflict, does not make the conflict go away. While a peacemaker doesn't like confrontation any more than other people, s/he recognizes the value of finding a resolution to the conflict.Resolving a conflict, by engaging all of the parties, is necessary if a lasting peace is to be found. But beyond just helping people resolve today's conflicts, the peacemaker should also teach those same people how to find resolutions to other, possibly future, conflicts.
