Ambiguous Agreements: Aid in Negotiating processes

Abstract

The ambiguity of the agreements made in situations of war between parties with differing interests, power bases and incentives to act is crucial political territory. Tracing the dynamics by which negotiations take place between aid providers and parties to the conflict and lead to particular outcomes is central to an improved understanding of the processes of aid. The articles presented in this Special Issue are brought together to examine and illuminate the ways in which the agendas and agreements promoted in countries in which there is violent conflict are pursued with various degrees of success or are subject to contestation, renegotiation, reneging and radical reinterpretation.