Breaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy (Policy Research Reports) [Paperback]

Paul Collier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0821354817 | ISBN-13: 978-0821354810

Civil wars attract much less attention than international wars but they are becoming increasingly common and typically go on for years. Where development succeeds, countries become progressively safer from violent conflict, making subsequent development easier. Where development fails countries can become trapped in a vicious circle: war wrecks the economy and increases the risk of further war. This new World Bank Policy Research Report challenges the belief that civil wars are inevitable and proposes an agenda for global action.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book's findings are instructive.... The authors wisely advise that no single policy can be successful on its own and each country or conflict needs a unique combination of initiatives which address the specific conditions."--Public Administration and Development

About the Author

Paul Collier is at St Anthony's College, Oxford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821354817
• ISBN-13: 978-0821354810
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!, March 5, 2011

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Alexandra Hopkins (La Crescenta, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy (Policy Research Reports) (Paperback)

This book presents stats on the relationships among poverty, education, and violent conflict. I've never seen this kind of information anywhere else. It's a revelation. Somewhat dry, but if you want to know the real source of war and violent conflicts among groups, this is the book to read. Not opinions, just the facts, ma'am (for those of you who watched the TV show "Dragnet" mid-20th Century). GREAT BOOK!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars civil war != development, February 2, 2006

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy (Policy Research Reports) (Paperback)

These days, when the idea of failed states occupies the minds of many policymakers in the developed world, Collier provides a timely study of how civil war can help bring about a failed state. He studies several decades of civil wars, spread across the world, though primarily focused on Africa. In these wars, we see how the development of those countries was severely stunted. From Liberia to Sudan to Cambodia and other places.

The tragedy of course is that these countries already had parlous economies, prior to the conflicts. Plus, during the wars, conditions naturally worsened.

Quite a thoughtful book. The author and, implicitly, the World Bank, argue that until such wars end, it is futile to seriously contemplate any development policy.