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 reveals that social policy plays a crucial role in shaping peace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, but it is not enough on its own to ensure long-term stability.
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Social policy can support peace in MENA, but lasting stability requires integrated approaches addressing inequality, governance, and climate challenges.
– Jawad et al. 2025
This study critically examines the complex role of social policy in conflict and peacebuilding across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It highlights how social policies—encompassing welfare systems, social protection, and service delivery—can serve as both instruments for promoting peace and tools for political manipulation. When designed and implemented effectively, these policies can foster positive peace by addressing structural inequalities, promoting social justice, and encouraging cooperation. However, when misused, they can sustain negative peace—a fragile stability that masks unresolved grievances—by reinforcing social divisions, entrenching state control, and perpetuating marginalization. The study underscores the intersection of social policy with broader regional challenges such as climate change, economic disparity, and state fragility. These factors can intensify existing tensions and undermine peacebuilding efforts if not addressed holistically. While there are notable instances in the MENA region where social policy has contributed to reconciliation and stability, the overall record remains mixed, with many cases revealing its use for consolidating power rather than healing societies. Ultimately, the study argues that social policy alone cannot achieve lasting peace. It calls for stronger collaboration between social policy practitioners and security actors to design more integrated and sustainable peacebuilding strategies that move beyond surface-level solutions to tackle the root causes of conflict.
How the Study was Conducted
This study employed a comprehensive desk-based review to analyze the relationship between social policy and peacebuilding in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Drawing from a wide range of interdisciplinary sources, the research synthesized literature from academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, integrating insights from sociology, peace studies, international development, and conflict resolution. To ground the analysis in regional realities, the study incorporated data from the Arab Barometer Surveys, offering valuable perspectives on public attitudes toward peace and social policy. It also examined historical and political contexts, exploring how state formation, governance structures, and political dynamics have shaped the use and impact of social policies in conflict-affected settings. In-depth case studies of Syria, Yemen, and Sudan further enriched the analysis, revealing how social policy intersects with structural inequalities and climate change in ways that can either exacerbate or mitigate conflict. This multifaceted approach allowed for a nuanced understanding of social policy as both a potential driver of positive peace—through social justice and inclusion—and a mechanism for negative peace or political control.
What the Authors Found
The research underscores the pivotal yet limited role of social policy in fostering peace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. While social policies that enhance welfare, social protection, and service delivery can promote positive peace by reducing inequalities and strengthening social cohesion, they are not sufficient on their own to guarantee long-term stability. The study highlights that such policies can be politically manipulated, serving as tools for social control rather than genuine peacebuilding—resulting in hegemonic pacification rather than true reconciliation. Additionally, climate change and structural inequalities, compounded by state fragility, further complicate the effectiveness of social interventions.
Why is this important
Better Peacebuilding Strategies – Traditional approaches focus heavily on security and military interventions. This study argues that social policies can create stability by reducing inequalities, improving welfare, and promoting social cohesion.
Understanding Hidden Risks – Factors like climate change, state fragility, and structural inequalities can worsen conflicts. A broader approach to peace must consider social and environmental risks, not just political stability.
Preventing Conflict Instead of Just Managing It – Many policies aim to control violence without addressing underlying grievances. By studying social policy, experts can find ways to resolve tensions before they turn into full-scale conflicts.
Improving Governance – Social policies can either support positive change or be manipulated for social control and political co-option. Recognizing this helps governments design fairer systems that genuinely improve lives.
Creating Inclusive Peace Efforts – The study calls for greater collaboration between security policymakers and social welfare actors. A combined approach can build lasting peace, rather than just temporary stability.
What the Authors Recommended
- The authors argue that governments should prioritize welfare, social protection, and equitable service delivery to reduce inequalities that fuel conflict.
- The study emphasizes that policymakers should ensure social policies promote justice, rather than being manipulated for political gain or hegemonic pacification.
- Recognizing that climate change and state fragility worsen conflicts, policies must incorporate environmental and economic resilience into peace efforts.
- The study further posits that security and social policy experts must work together to design long-term strategies that sustain peace, not just prevent violence.
- In addition, peace-sensitive social policies should be tailored to specific conflicts, considering local grievances, governance structures, and historical injustices.
In conclusion, the study by Jawad et al. (2025) provides a compelling analysis of the dual role social policy plays in both advancing and obstructing peace in the MENA region. While social policies have the potential to address deep-rooted inequalities and foster inclusive development, their effectiveness is limited without broader structural reforms and cross-sector collaboration. Sustainable peace requires more than welfare programs—it demands integrated strategies that confront environmental, political, and economic challenges head-on. By aligning social policy with genuine peacebuilding goals and partnering with security and governance actors, the region can move beyond temporary fixes toward lasting, transformative stability.
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