On Othering Processes and Politics of Unpeace

In every sphere of life, division and intolerance have polarized communities and entire nations. The learned construction of the Other—an evil “enemy” against whom both physical and discursive violence is deemed acceptable—has fractured humanity, creating divisions that seemingly defy reconciliation. How do we restore the bonds of connection among human beings? How do we shift from polarization to peace?

On Othering: Processes and Politics of Unpeace examines the process of othering from an international perspective and considers how it undermines peacemaking and is perpetuated by colonialism and globalization. Taking a humanistic approach, contributors argue that celebrating differences can have a transformative change in seeking peaceful solutions to problems created by people, institutions, ideas, conditions, and circumstances. Touching on race, gender, sexuality, nationalism, and our relationship with the natural world, this volume attends to the deep injustices brought about by othering and recommends actions for mending the relationships that are essential to renewing the possibility of peace.

About the Editors

Yasmin Saikia is a professor of history and holds the distinguished Hardt-Nickachos Endowed Chair in Peace Studies at Arizona State University. She is the author of the award-winning books Fragmented Memories: Struggling to be Tai-Ahom in India (2005) and Women, War, and the Making of Bangladesh: Remembering 1971 (2011). She has co-authored with Chad Haines, Women and Peace in the Islamic World (2014) and People’s Peace: Prospects for a Human Future (2019). Chad Haines is associate professor of religious studies and Senior Global Futures Scholar at Arizona State University. He is the author of Nation, Territory, and Globalization in Pakistan (2012) as well a co-editor with Yasmin Saikia of Women and Peace in the Islamic World (2014) and People’s Peace (2019).

With contributions by Nikoli Attai, Alexander Avina, Amit R. Baishya, Camille D. Burge, Kathryn Cassidy, Timothy Grose, Maryam Khan, Frédéric Neyrat, Fabio Perocco, and Rebecca Tsosie.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). It may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, provided that the original author is credited.