The Economics of Peacebuilding: International Organizations for Dealing with Victor and Vanquished

Abstract This chapter draws on the sharply contrasting experiences of both the League of Nations and the United Nations in the twentieth century in order to highlight the importance of the economic dimension to peace building. In doing so, this chapter questions the conventional wisdom and practice that only after peace is fully restored in a conflict environment can the focus shift to economic development. With special reference to the cases of Guinea Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan, it suggests that the insistent, quasi-dogmatic priority given to sequencing actions in this way has served to undermine many peace-building processes before they even begin. At the heart of most of Africa’s largely internal conflicts are the economic imbalances and weaknesses evident in all states on the continent. Just as peace was built in war-shattered Europe through a massive reconstruction plan, the chapter argues that peace-building solutions in Africa must give much greater weight to the economic dimension.