Networks of Democracy: Lessons from Kosovo for Afghanistan, Iraq, and Beyond [Paperback]

Anne Holohan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 2005

In 1999, the United Nations embarked on a massive intervention in Kosovo. This book compares the fate of two adjacent municipalities two years into that intervention. Though similar in all key respects, by 2001 the municipalities were headed down markedly different paths—one making progress toward institution-building, democratization, and reconstruction, the other stagnating.

Drawing on extensive field research, the author shows that the successful municipality was able to bring together international organizations and local populations as part of a “network” organization. The lack of progress in the second municipality was due to the same organizations staying behind bureaucratic walls, and keeping local populations at a distance. In both municipalities, information and communication technologies contributed in surprising ways to the success or failure of the international efforts.

This book has relevance for interventions around the world, most obviously for the challenging situations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the author develops policy recommendations in the concluding section. No other book on nation-building or democratization examines the daily behavior in an international intervention to answer the big question: How do you get from the chaos of a post-conflict society to one with functioning institutions?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Holohan provides a conceptually elegant and yet remarkably practical analysis of democratization and reconstruction efforts in two municipalities in Kosovo, some two ears after the launch of the United Nations post-conflict mission there in 1999."—Contemporary Sociology

"Throughout the case studies, Holohan relentlessly pushes her theoretical points, while seamlessly weaving the theoretical aspects of network organizations into the specific discussions of the municipalities . . . Networks of Democracy undoubtedly provides important lessons for international interventions, both present and future."—Yale Journal of International Law

"Anne Holohan brings something long overdue to the democratization bookshelf: comparative case studies based on fieldwork. This book should be mandatory reading for all Washington, D.C. policymakers at work on spreading democracy."—Julie Mertus, American University

"With unique access to all levels of nation-building organizations, Anne Holohan gives an original and exceptional analysis of the process. This book will become a classic on how to enhance international cooperation and democratization missions."—Charles Moskos, Northwestern University

"[M]y students have read Networks of Democracy, as should all who are interested in the theory and practice of peace building and international conflict intervention."—American Journal of Sociology

From the Inside Flap

In 1999, the United Nations embarked on a massive intervention in Kosovo. This book compares the fate of two adjacent municipalities two years into that intervention. Though similar in all key respects, by 2001 the municipalities were headed down markedly different paths—one making progress toward institution-building, democratization, and reconstruction, the other stagnating.
Drawing on extensive field research, the author shows that the successful municipality was able to bring together international organizations and local populations as part of a “network” organization. The lack of progress in the second municipality was due to the same organizations staying behind bureaucratic walls, and keeping local populations at a distance. In both municipalities, information and communication technologies contributed in surprising ways to the success or failure of the international efforts.
This book has relevance for interventions around the world, most obviously for the challenging situations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the author develops policy recommendations in the concluding section. No other book on nation-building or democratization examines the daily behavior in an international intervention to answer the big question: How do you get from the chaos of a post-conflict society to one with functioning institutions?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Stanford University Press; 1 edition (April 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804751919
• ISBN-13: 978-0804751919
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,463,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, September 20, 2005

By 

Elham Gheytanchi "Elham Gheytanchi" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Networks of Democracy: Lessons from Kosovo for Afghanistan, Iraq, and Beyond (Paperback)

Great read. Very accessabile to all interested in what the international community is doing in post-conflict societies.
How does a post-conflict society rebuilds itself in cooperation with international organizations and peace-keeping forces? Holohan answers this important question in the post 9/11 world in the context of two municipalities in Kosovo in 1999. Her research opens up a window into people's daily interactions in these two sites that lead to different results. Whereas one municipality cooperates with UN and other organizations, the other municipality carries on a culture of conflict. The key to understanding the difference lies in the level of trust, flexibility, cooperative problem solving tactics that emerges among the organizations and the people in these two sites.

Holohan's writing is lucid, multi-dimensional and intriguing. She shows the reader how countable democratic institutions emerge and are sustained in unstable societies. Her extensive and interesting field research answers macro as well as micro questions, a truly unique characteristic of good writing. The book is fascinating for policy-makers and sociologists as well as for general readers for its analysis of socio-emotional contents such as trust, friendship, bonds, and skillful problem solving strategies; issues we all face in our everyday encounters with institutions.

I particularly like Holohan's theoretical discussion (Chapter 2),transactive memory (chapter 6) and conclusion (chapter 8). Holohan explains complex theoretical issues in the most simple yet sophisticated manner.
Chapter 6 is about transactive memory, the glue that makes Information technology work in critical times. This chapter is interesting for all especially in this age when Information and computer technologies dominate our lives. Holohan brings back people's power back into this field. The conclusion ties in the micro analysis with the macro one intelligently.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent case study in administration, July 26, 2005

By 

A. Garg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Networks of Democracy: Lessons from Kosovo for Afghanistan, Iraq, and Beyond (Paperback)

Anne Holohan's book is a must-read for all managers, administrators, peacekeepers and development and aid workers. She takes two municipalities in Kosovo after the intervention in 1999 and compares how their paths towards development and reconstruction diverged. The book is fast-paced and eminently readable, particularly chapters 3 and 4 that are peppered with personal, and at the same time, relevant anecdotes. The second chapter that deals with sociological theory while of interest to academics can probably be skipped by the layperson.

As someone who had once, however briefly, entertained the idea of joining the Indian Administrative Service, this book makes me regret not pursuing that idea. It makes you want to get down to the ground and solve problems with results that are far more tangible than most people's jobs produce. Proper administration is key to development in Kosovo as in the rest of the world and this book uncovers the hidden factors and personalities behind a successful administration.

If there are any criticisms of the book they are that the book is sometimes too harsh on the administrators at Thezren and does not fully explore the drawbacks of Petersen's approach. However, these are minor nits and do not take away from the books readability and its understanding of administrative processes.