Reconciliation and Social Cohesion in the Prevention of Violent Extremism in Complex Systems: Iraq as a Case Study

Cohesive and trusting communities are more resilient to reemerging crises. Hence, in a complex social system such as post-ISIS Iraq, failing to restore social cohesion carries the risk of renewed extremism, violence and conflict. Drivers of violent extremism in Iraq include marginalization, poor education, stigmatization, mistreatment by the authorities and sectarian divisions—factors that may lead to the country becoming a permanently failed state. While security-based approaches have played a role in stabilizing the country, they alone cannot bring about social cohesion, given the multiple variables involved: stigma, marginalization, damaged social cohesion and broken bonds within the community, among others. Instead, community-led, inclusive and comprehensive approaches are shown to be more suitable. Peacebuilding actors can work with civil society organizations to equip them with the necessary skills, tools and knowledge to build resilience through transformation and peace and tolerance education. This chapter aims to contribute to understanding how peacebuilding interventions designed to foster social cohesion can promote resilience and, thus, contribute to sustaining peace and human security in a highly complex social system in post-ISIS Iraq.