| The central focus of this study is the development of theory relating to international crisis and crisis management in non-traditional crises. Numerous works have been written on international crisis and crisis management, but because they focus on crises which originate in an inter-state conflict they are not fully applicable to an analysis of the "non-traditional" crises emerging from intra-state conflicts which have become so prevalent in the post-Cold War era. Existing theories of crisis management centre on circumstances that are often inoperative in the new crisis environment, and on players that may represent only a few of the actors who perceive themselves to be part of the crisis. Moreover, there are many variables at play in contemporary crisis management efforts which do not appear in these theories.; To develop a new theory of crisis management, the study first identifies and discusses critical variables in the management of non-traditional crises, including peacemaking, enforcement action, peacekeeping, post-conflict peace-building and peace-enforcement. The relationship between these variables is then hypothesized as means of outlining a provisional theory of the management of non-traditional crises. The case study follows, which is an examination of the Bosnian crisis from 1992 to 1996. It is analysed chronologically and in the context of the various crisis management tools. Drawing on this analysis, the paper then refines the original hypotheses and elaborates on the provisional theory by outlining additional findings supported by the case study. Primary source materials are used extensively, such as UN and NATO documents, official statements and agreements. Interviews were also conducted. Additional sources were books, monographs, and journal, newspaper and magazine articles.; The paper concludes with a series of 15 principles and guidelines which together comprise this study's theory of the management of non-traditional crises. The findings are not meant to cover the spectrum of non-traditional crises which the international community can expect to face in the coming years, but rather to contribute to the development of theory in the area of international crisis and crisis management, and to provide a useful template for policy-makers to consider when addressing future crises of the Bosnian sort. |
