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Temporal Othering in International Relations Interventions: A Critical Analysis of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Africa

Leslie Carter

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Published in Democracy Promotion As Foreign Policy: Temporal Othering In International Relations (Interventions)

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International relations interventions, such as peacekeeping operations, are often shaped by temporal imaginaries that construct and order time in particular ways. These temporal imaginaries can have significant implications for the ways in which interventions are designed, implemented, and evaluated, and for the ways in which they interact with local communities.

In this article, we explore the concept of temporal othering in international relations interventions. We argue that the dominant temporal imaginaries that shape these interventions often perpetuate hierarchical and exclusionary power relations, resulting in the marginalization and disenfranchisement of local communities. We illustrate this argument by examining the case of United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa.

Temporal othering is a process by which people or groups are constructed as being temporally different from oneself. This difference can be based on a variety of factors, such as race, ethnicity, gender, or class. Temporal othering can be used to justify discrimination and oppression, as it allows people to dehumanize and exclude those who are seen as being temporally inferior.

Democracy Promotion as Foreign Policy: Temporal Othering in International Relations (Interventions)

by Dick Simpson

4.7 out of 5

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In the context of international relations interventions, temporal othering often occurs through the imposition of Western temporal imaginaries on non-Western societies. These imaginaries construct time as linear and progressive, with the West seen as being at the forefront of progress and the non-West seen as being lagging behind. This temporal hierarchy justifies Western intervention in non-Western societies, as it is seen as a way to bring these societies into the modern world.

United Nations peacekeeping operations have a long history in Africa, dating back to the 1960s. These operations have been deployed in a variety of countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan. The stated goal of these operations is to promote peace and stability in conflict-affected countries. However, critics argue that these operations have often failed to achieve their objectives, and have instead contributed to the marginalization and disenfranchisement of local communities.

One of the ways in which United Nations peacekeeping operations have contributed to temporal othering is through the imposition of Western temporal imaginaries on African societies. These imaginaries construct time as linear and progressive, with the West seen as being at the forefront of progress and Africa seen as being lagging behind. This temporal hierarchy justifies Western intervention in Africa, as it is seen as a way to bring Africa into the modern world.

However, this temporal hierarchy also has a number of negative consequences. First, it devalues African temporalities and ways of knowing. Second, it creates a sense of dependency on Western knowledge and expertise. Third, it undermines local peacebuilding efforts and initiatives.

Temporal othering is a serious problem in international relations interventions. It can lead to the marginalization and disenfranchisement of local communities, and can undermine local peacebuilding efforts and initiatives. It is important to be aware of the ways in which temporal imaginaries shape these interventions, and to challenge the dominant temporal imaginaries that perpetuate hierarchical and exclusionary power relations.

By ng so, we can create more just and equitable interventions that support local communities and their efforts to build peace.

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Dr. Jane Doe is a professor of international relations at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the role of time in international relations, and she has published widely on the topic of temporal othering.
Dr. John Smith is a professor of history at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on the history of Africa, and he has published widely on the topic of colonialism and postcolonialism.

Democracy Promotion as Foreign Policy: Temporal Othering in International Relations (Interventions)

by Dick Simpson

4.7 out of 5