Exploring effectiveness: A qualitative comparative analysis of top-down and bottom-up approaches in environmental peacebuilding

Abstract

This paper examines effectiveness in achieving results in doing environmental peacebuilding by comparing two prominent theories. Doubts are raised about the benchmark status of the top-down approach, while the bottom-up approach is recognized as being underdeveloped and might benefit from additional study. Furthermore, this paper builds on these theories by creating more understanding of them and thereby broadening the field of research. An fsQCA was conducted, which showed the importance of both theories, while also providing suggestions for developing the theories. The analysis confirmed the hypothesis by showing that the bottom-up approach seemed indeed to be more significant in achieving successful environmental peacebuilding results. Additionally, the cooperation and trust variable of the bottom-up approach produced promising results on ‘awareness of mutual dependence on natural resources by communities’ that need further inquiry.