International Politics, Peacebuilding, Regional Integration, Regional Organizations
My research examines the creation and diffusion of norms in the context of advancing regional integration, as well as the effects these norms have on domestic politics. I am particularly interested in how such norms influence countries that have experienced conflict in the recent past. More recently, in light of the waning influence of the European Union, I have also become concerned with the fragility of previously established norms and the emerging competition among differing normative frameworks.

My research interests lie in the international and domestic politics surrounding conflict and peace. Conflicts—defined as clashes of incompatible interests among actors—are inevitable in any society. In many domestic settings, however, rules, institutions, and norms function effectively to resolve such conflicts peacefully, making the resort to violence relatively rare. In the international arena, by contrast, efforts to build comparable rules, institutions, and norms remain incomplete, and violent conflicts continue to occur with troubling frequency.　Moreover, once violence erupts, its negative effects can persist for years or even decades after the fighting ends, and even minor triggers may lead to renewed conflict. At the same time, multiple actors—including states, international and regional organizations, and civil society groups—work to resolve conflicts and build peace, and there has been gradual but meaningful progress in some areas.　　To engage with the questions of conflict and peace, one must draw upon wide‑ranging knowledge spanning politics, economics, law, and institutional design, as well as develop flexible and adaptable analytical skills. I look forward to thinking through these difficult issues together and engaging in productive discussions with all of you.

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MAIL：nakauchi@sophia.ac.jp