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 bring about social cohesion carries the risk for renewed extremism, violence and conflict. Aspects such as marginalization, poor education, stigmatization, mistreatment by the authorities and sectarian divisions can become drivers of violent extremism and carry the risk to make Iraq a permanently failed state. In such contexts, security-based approaches––in particular, hard security approaches––have proven ineffective to bring about social cohesion given the multiplicity of variables involved: stigma, marginalization, broken emotional cohesions and bonds within the community, among others. Instead, community-led, inclusive and comprehensive approaches tend to be highlighted as more suitable. Peacebuilding actors can work with civil society organizations and 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 the understanding of how peacebuilding interventions aimed at fostering social/community cohesion can contribute to resilience and P/CVE in a highly complex social system as post-Daesh Iraq.