Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.