Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This Advanced Introduction establishes the study of peace processes as part of the mainstream of sociology, a position consistent with the new moral re-enchantment of the social sciences. It advances a sociological view of peace that goes beyond vague notions of reconciliation, to constitute the restoration of moral sensibility, from which flows social solidarity, sociability and social justice. These concepts form the basis for a moral framework outlining what peace means sociologically.



Key features include:








Establishing the study of peace and peace processes within the core of the sociological imagination


A sociological approach to post-conflict emotions, compromise, everyday life peacebuilding, and personal trauma


An innovative analysis that highlights recent developments and key areas of interest for researchers.



Invigorating and timely, this will be a critical read for undergraduate and postgraduate students of peace studies, the sociology of conflict, and the sociology of war and violence. It will also appeal to higher level students and researchers in these areas.