Cod Peace - Peace, Crises, and the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission

Abstract

The thesis uses a peace-studies perspective to examine the relationship between crises, peace-values, and the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission. It uses crises as focal points to shed light on values, and to explore alternatives. The thesis has triangular data collection at its empiric basis, and uses 4 qualitative interviews along with Commission protocols, to better understand the relationship between values and the Commission’s function. The theoretical framework used for analysis extensively based on Johan Galtung’s peace theory.

Findings indicate that crises can be understood meaningfully from a peace-value perspective, and that a value based approach can contribute to understanding crises in new ways. This is important analytically, as the complexity of integrated management can be seen as inherently value-based.

The study suggests that applied peace theory risks an inherent theoretical contradiction in peace-violence based practical peace-work, where a focus on violence can lead to entrenchment instead of change.