As international attention focuses on the rebuilding of Afghanistan, this collection looks critically at the evolution and meaning of the core concepts underpinning aims and strategies for recovery: the key role of institutional development and capacity building in establishing good governance, based on collaboration between state, civil society and market; the empirical consensus, over many decades, for best practice in development; the acknowledgement that recovery of war-torn societies is a development challenge. It is also shown that, despite this understanding, operational practice continues to contradict these principles and lessons learned from proven experience.

Timely in light of recent events in Afghanistan

Setting the Scene for Afghanistan's Reconstruction: The Challenges and Critical Dilemmas; S.Barakat Theories, Rhetoric and Practice: Recovering the Capacities of War-torn Societies; S.Barakat & M.Chard Aiding Violence or Building Peace? The Role of International Aid in Afghanistan; J.Goodhand Afghans have their Memories: A Reflection on the Recent Experience of Assistance in Afghanistan; C.Johnson & J.Leslie After Bonn: Conflictual Peace Building; A.Suhrke, K.Berg Harpviken & A.Strand The Road Ahead: Political and Institutional Reconstruction in Afghanistan; A.Thier & J.Chopra Exploited by Whom? An Alternative Perspective on Humanitarian Assistance to Afghan Women; S.Barakat & G.Wardell Breaking New Ground: Afghanistan's Response to Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance; K.Berg Harpviken Formal and Informal Disability Resources for Afghan Reconstruction; M.Miles Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of Former Combatants in Afghanistan: Lessons Learned from a Cross-Cultural Perspective; A.Özerdem Cultural Heritage and National Identity in Afghanistan; N.Hatch Dupree The Composite Approach: Research Design in the Context of War and Armed Conflict; S.Barakat, M.Chard, T.Jacoby & W.Lume