Contents -- Foreword -- Preface -- Contributors -- 1. Introduction: Parliaments as Peacebuilders -- How Parliaments Can Help Prevent Conflict and Nurture Peace -- Parliamentary Structure and Functions -- A Study of Countries' Experiences and Strategies -- References -- 2. The Nexus Among Parliaments, Poverty Reduction, and Conflict Prevention -- The Relationship between Poverty and Conflict -- The Relationship between Democracy and Conflict -- The "Development First" Philosophy -- The Relationship between Democracy and Development -- Parliaments as the Cornerstone -- The Way Forward -- References -- Declarations -- 3. Making Parliament More Representative -- Designing Electoral Systems to Encourage Participation and Representation in Parliament -- Ensuring Just Representation and Legitimacy through the Electoral Process -- Working with Election Observers to Ensure a Representative Parliament -- The Role of the Opposition in Representing the Community's Collective Interests in Conflict Prevention -- Parliamentary Leadership -- Conclusion -- Annex: Management of the 2005 Afghan Parliamentary Elections -- References -- Declarations -- 4. Advancing Parliament's Legislative Function in Conflict-Affected Societies -- Building a Culture of Cooperation in Parliament -- Conducting Parliamentary Business -- Creating a Legislative Agenda for Conflict-Affected Countries -- Conclusion -- References -- Principles and Recommendations -- 5. Creating a Shared Parliament in a Divided Society: Lessons from the Northern Ireland Experience -- Fifty Years of Drift -- Development of the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement -- Multiparty Peace Talks and the Belfast Agreement -- Rights, Responsibilities, and Respect for Minorities -- Respect and Trust -- Sharing Power and Serving the Public Interest -- Rebuilding of the Rule of Law and a Culture of Lawfulness.

Beyond the Belfast Agreement -- 6. Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight to Prevent Conflict and Reduce Poverty -- Direct Parliamentary Oversight of the Government -- Autonomous Accountability Institutions -- Conclusion -- References -- Declarations and Principles -- 7. Parliamentary Oversight of Defense in South Africa -- Democratic Transformation and Defense Policy -- The Establishment of Parliamentary Defense Oversight -- The Strategic Defense Procurement Package and Parliamentary Oversight -- The Implications for Defense Oversight -- References -- 8. Social Accountability-Citizens, Civil Society, and the Media Working with Parliament to Prevent Conflict and Reduce Poverty -- Parliament and Constituency Relations -- Civil Society and Community Groups -- Civil Society and Diagonal Accountability -- The Media -- Conclusion -- References -- Treaties, Declarations, and Principles -- 9. The Role of the Rwandan Parliament in Conflict Prevention -- The Arusha Accords and Legislative Design -- The 2003 Constitution and the Bicameral Legislature -- Parliament as an Instrument for Limiting Political Expression -- Conclusion -- References -- 10. Gender Dimensions in Conflict-Affected Countries: The Role of Parliaments -- International Commitments to Gender Mainstreaming -- Situation of Women in Parliaments in Post-Confl ict Countries -- Gender and Peace Processes-Negotiations and Agreements -- Civil Society Organizations -- Gender, Justice, and Reconciliation -- Gender Concerns for Parliament during Political Reconstruction -- Parliamentary Alliance Building -- Gender, Parliament, and Economic Development -- Conclusion -- References -- Treaties, Declarations, and Resolutions -- 11. Building Capacity to Manage Conflict and Change: Lessons From Thailand -- Conflict in Southern Thailand -- Labeling of Conflict -- Escalation of Conflict.

De-escalation of Conflict -- Capacity Building to Manage Conflict and Change -- Effective Leadership -- Conclusion -- References -- 12. Military Intervention in Thai Parliamentary Democracy -- The 1997 Constitution: Weakening of the Legislature -- A Dominant Executive Branch -- Corruption -- The September 2006 Coup -- Conclusion -- Readings -- 13. Broad Strategies for Parliament to Tackle Conflict and Promote Socioeconomic Equality -- Promotion of Socioeconomic Equality -- The Natural Environment -- Decentralization -- Rule of Law -- Conclusion -- References -- Principles -- 14. Macroeconomic Challenges in Post-Conflict Countries and the Role of Parliaments -- Post-Conflict Economic Policy and the Role of Parliament -- Stylized Macroeconomic Facts in Post-Conflict Countries -- Policy Priorities in a Post-Conflict Setting -- Role of Parliaments in Prioritizing Public Spending and Ensuring Prudent Macroeconomic Policies -- Parliaments and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) Process -- Conclusion -- References -- 15. Regional Parliamentary Peacebuilding and Engagement with International Organizations -- Parliamentary Representation of Community Interests in Initiatives Undertaken with Multilateral Development Agencies -- Development of Informal Networks: The Great Lakes Parliamentary Forum on Peace (AMANI Forum) -- Participation in Professional Associations: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's Commitment to the Harare Declaration -- Formal Regional Institutions: SADC Parliamentary Forum -- Conclusion -- References -- Declarations -- 16. Toward an Active Participation in Foreign Policy-The Role of the Finnish Parliament in International Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management -- Empowering the Finnish Parliament to Participate in International Conflict Management.

How the Finnish Parliament Has Contributed to International Conflict Resolution -- Conclusion -- Annex: The Finnish Parliament in the 21st Century -- The 2000 Constitution -- Leading by Example in Building an Informed Democracy -- Budgetary and Administrative Autonomy of the Eduskunta -- 17. Conclusion -- Ensuring That Parliament Has a Representative Voice -- Establishing Accountability -- Conducting Legislative Business -- Case Studies Provide Anecdotal Support to the Central Arguments -- Social Accountability -- Contributing to Conflict Prevention beyond Parliament's Walls -- Conclusion -- Box 3.1 Text of the Fox Agreement -- Figure 1.1 Model of Parliamentary Power -- Figure 2.1 The Conflict Cycle -- Figure 6.1 Horizontal and Vertical Accountability Flows -- Figure 11.1 Interrelationship between Individual and Group Identity -- Figure 11.2 Escalation and De-escalation of Conflict -- Figure 11.3 Interrelational Framework.