A recent study by Jawad et al. (2025) titled “A critical review of the state-of-the-art on social policy, conflict, and peace in the Middle East and North Africa region: Why social policy matters for peace and why it is also not enough” published in World Development by Science Direct, shows that social policy plays a crucial role in fostering peace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, but it also has limitations.
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Social policy fosters peace in MENA by addressing inequalities but faces limitations, including potential misuse for control and co-option.– Jawad et al. 2025
The article critically examines the intersections between social policy, conflict, and peace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It emphasizes the importance of social policy in fostering peace but also highlights its limitations. The paper situates itself within the conceptual framework of positive peace and assesses the role of social policy in a landscape of compounding risks, such as climate change, environmental degradation, structural inequality, and state fragility, which negatively affect peace. The authors advocate for a broader perspective on social policy’s role in peacebuilding, arguing that it should be seen as a comprehensive framework for action rather than just focusing on welfare, protection, and service delivery. They also address the mixed record of social policy in relation to war and peace, noting that while it can be a positive tool, it can also be used for social control or political co-option, leading to negative forms of peace.
How the Study was Conducted
The study was conducted through a comprehensive desk-based review of the literature in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The authors critically assessed the current state of knowledge on the intersections between social policy and peace, situating their analysis within the conceptual framework of positive peace. They examined the role of social policy in a landscape of compounding risks, such as climate change, environmental degradation, structural inequality, and state fragility. The authors conducted a thorough literature search using major databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. They reviewed peace studies, climate security literature, sociological, international development, and international relations literatures on peacebuilding, social policy literature, and perceptions of peace among MENA citizens, including searches of the Arab Barometer Surveys and literature on riots. The study also incorporated empirical insights from the MENA region as part of an ongoing AHRC-GCRF research project. This approach allowed the authors to develop new arguments that align with and enhance current global policy shifts among security studies scholars and international policy actors.
What the Authors Found
The authors found that social policy plays a crucial role in fostering peace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, but it also has limitations. They highlighted that social policy can act as a positive, peace-sensitive tool, promoting social cohesion and addressing structural inequalities. However, it can also be used for social control or political co-option, leading to negative forms of peace. The authors also noted the mixed record of social policy in relation to war and peace, acknowledging that while it can be a positive tool, it can also maintain law and order in ways that reflect hegemonic pacification.
Why is this important?
This study is important because it highlights the critical role of social policy in fostering peace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It emphasizes that social policy can promote social cohesion and address structural inequalities, which are essential for building positive peace. However, it also points out the limitations of social policy, such as its potential use for social control or political co-option, leading to negative forms of peace.
Understanding the role of social policy in peacebuilding is crucial for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working in conflict-affected regions. It provides insights into how social policy interventions can be designed to address the root causes of conflict and promote sustainable peace. Additionally, the study’s focus on the compounding risks of climate change, environmental degradation, structural inequality, and state fragility underscores the need for comprehensive and context-specific social policy frameworks.
By advocating for a broader perspective on social policy’s role in peacebuilding, the study contributes to the ongoing global policy shifts among security studies scholars and international policy actors. It also calls for future research to explore what types of social policy interventions work in different conflict situations and to develop better peace-sensitive social policy indicators. This knowledge is vital for creating effective strategies to promote peace and stability in the MENA region and beyond.
What the Authors Recommended
- The authors suggest a greater focus on identifying what types of social policy interventions work best at different points in time and in various conflict situations. This involves understanding the specific contexts and conditions under which social policies can effectively contribute to peacebuilding.
- The authors emphasize the need for a better understanding of peace-sensitive social policy indicators. This includes developing metrics and indicators that can accurately measure the impact of social policies on peace and conflict dynamics.
- The study advocates for a broader and more critical perspective on the role of social policy in peacebuilding. This means viewing social policy as a comprehensive framework for action, rather than just focusing on welfare, protection, and service delivery.
- The authors highlight the importance of addressing structural inequalities through social policy. This involves creating policies that promote social cohesion, reduce inequalities, and foster positive peace.
- In addition, the authors call for greater interactions and dialogue between advocates of both security and social pathways to peace. This interdisciplinary approach can help bridge the gap between different fields and create more holistic and effective peacebuilding strategies.
In conclusion, the study by Jawad et al. (2025) underscores the complex yet pivotal role of social policy in fostering peace within the MENA region. While social policy has the potential to address structural inequalities, promote social cohesion, and contribute to positive peace, its limitations, such as susceptibility to political co-option and its use as a tool for social control, cannot be overlooked. By advocating for a more comprehensive, context-sensitive approach to social policy and emphasizing the development of peace-sensitive indicators, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and peacebuilders. Ultimately, addressing the compounding risks of conflict in the MENA region requires a holistic framework that bridges the gap between social and security strategies, paving the way for sustainable peace and stability.
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