Millions of people live under the constant threat of violence, even outside of war zones. This project entitled “Decades of Peace” asks how violence can be reduced where it is most common. By studying local cases that have successfully curbed violence, the project aims to uncover the institutional drivers that lead to sustainable peace in otherwise violent countries.

At the heart of this project is a critical question: How do societies move from persistent violence to sustainable peace? Despite a global decline in violence over centuries, certain regions, particularly in Latin America, remain plagued by high levels of violence that are deeply entrenched in local social structures. This project offers a novel theory, suggesting that the process of alignment between state and societal institutions is a key mechanism to overcome persistent violence. Combining historical analysis, statistical data, and qualitative interviews, the research team examines how institutional change influences trajectories of violence over decades, with a focus on Colombia and other countries where violence remains common. By analyzing local cases of violence reduction and embracing a long-term perspective, the project seeks to provide a better understanding of how societies afflicted by violence can move to sustainable peace.

Sustainable peace is an elusive public good to certain parts of the world. In countries such as Colombia, Nigeria, Haiti, Mexico, Philippines, and South Africa, local areas seem trapped in endless violence perpetrated not just by state forces or rebel groups, but also by gangs, militias, and mobs. Even though some of the afflicted areas are not formally at war, locals exposed to persistent violence can hardly say they live in peace. By focusing on local cases of violence reduction in otherwise violent countries, “Decades of Peace” contributes to strategies that promote sustainable peace.

This project led by Prof. Enzo Nussio is funded by a Swiss National Science Foundation Consolidator Grant.