Spatial Framing and Methodological Choices

Chapter 2 explains the contribution of studies on peacebuilding and space as well as political geography and peacebuilding to the notion of peacebuilding and the proposition that countries and international organizations promote peacebuilding agendas in targeted spaces of intervention. To grasp this process, spatial framing is key, as international actors promote an image of those spaces and project values and priorities through which transformation of violent dynamics will occur. In line with works on peacebuilding and space, this book recognizes the key role of socially constructed spaces to shape peacebuilding practices. At the same time, it takes inspiration from political-geography literature that portrays peace as interpreted in different ways by different actors in different spaces, scales and times. The chapter asks questions about how relevant peacebuilding places were promoted discursively by international actors and how the analysis was carried out, and offers some observations about the sample.