Prof. Dr. Simon Koschut’s book “Normative Change and Security Community Disintegration. Undoing Peace” is honoured with the Ernst-Otto-Czempiel Award 2018 as the best postdoctoral monograph in peace and conflict research.
In his book, Simon Koschut focusses on the disintegration of security communities, and the subsequent breakdown of stable peace among nations, through a process of norm degeneration. Further, Simon Koschut raises the question on how to explain the collapse of security communities. In his analysis, he examines two case studies: The German Confederation, which was founded in 1815 and collapsed in 1866, serves as a historical example, while the NATO alliance showcases a persisting security community in the 21st century.
In the light of the Brexit and Donald Trump’s trade wars with Europe, Simon Koschut’s findings are highly relevant. His study advances the contemporary body of research on security communities. “His work combines a high level of theoretical reflexion and empirical case analysis” says Dr. Jonas Wolff.
The award ceremony will take place as part of PRIF’s Annual Conference “Verification in Crisis, the Crisis of Verification” in Frankfurt on September 21, 2018.