"Order is the essence of reconstruction, yet history indicates disorder routinely accompanies American involvement during the postwar process. Herein, a structured comparison of the US South (1865-1877), Japan (1945-1952), and Afghanistan (2001-2014) reveals a familiar rhythm to postwar events, and highlights that the process of reconstruction and its outcome are not inherently linked. A unique and conflictual American identity, influenced by John Locke and immortalized by Thomas Jefferson, encourages a destabilizing contest, where US policymakers must confront imperfect choices between peace and democracy. This comparison shows that reconstruction is a competitive endeavor, where three entities – the society, the government, and a third-party intervener – pursue self-interests. The product is a trinity, where interactions between these entities shape and mold the post-war order, especially the rules that bind society and government. When a third-party intervener desires (or pursues) democracy as a major platform of post-conflict reconstruction, achievement of that aim depends entirely on the emergence of a socially acceptable compact between the postwar society and its government. Yet, the trinity construct suggests that this social bond must remain incubated from direct intervener influence. Finally, this work proposes a generally applicable conception for understanding reconstruction and third-party intervention."--Abstract.