Sangam: A Confluence of Knowledge Streams

Definitions, Characteristics and Monitoring of Conflict Economies

Show simple item record

dc.creator Kelly, Luke
dc.date 2022-03-09T11:00:52Z
dc.date 2022-03-09T11:00:52Z
dc.date 2022-02-10
dc.date.accessioned 2022-05-26T08:53:34Z
dc.date.available 2022-05-26T08:53:34Z
dc.identifier Kelly, L. (2022). Definitions, characteristics and monitoring of conflict economies. K4D Helpdesk Report. Institute of Development Studies. DOI: 10.19088/K4D.2022.024
dc.identifier https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/17212
dc.identifier 10.19088/K4D.2022.024
dc.identifier.uri http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/CUHPOERS/199004
dc.description The idea of conflict economies is a broad concept encompassing several research angles. Definitions differ according to these focuses. Some of the main uses of the concept are to understand: • economic analysis of the motives for and likelihood of war • financing of state and non-state belligerents • how the continuation of conflicts can be explained by rational motives including economic ones • how conflict affects economic activity, and how conflict parties and citizens adapt Some distinctive characteristics of war economies are (Ballentine & Nitzschke, 2005, p. 12): • They involve the destruction or circumvention of the formal economy and the growth of informal and black markets, • Pillage, predation, extortion, and deliberate violence against civilians is used by combatants to acquire control over lucrative assets, capture trade networks and diaspora remittances, and exploit labour; • War economies are highly decentralised and privatised, both in the means of coercion and in the means of production and exchange; • Combatants increasingly rely on the licit or illicit exploitation of / trade in lucrative natural resources • They thrive on cross-border trading networks, regional kin and ethnic groups, arms traffickers, and mercenaries, as well as legally operating commercial entities, each of which may have a vested interest in the continuation of conflict and instability. The first section of this rapid review outlines the evolution of the term and key definitions. Most of this discussion occurs in the academic literature around the early 2000s. The second looks at key characteristics of conflict economies identified in the literature, with examples where possible from both academic and grey literature. The third section briefly identifies methodologies used to measure and monitor conflict economies, as well as some current research and programmes on conflict economies, from academic literature as well as NGOs and other sources. The findings have been derived via a literature search and advice from experts in the field. Given time constraints, the report is not comprehensive. The review is gender- and disability blind.
dc.description FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
dc.language en
dc.publisher Institute of Development Studies
dc.relation K4D Helpdesk Report;1099
dc.rights https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
dc.rights © Crown copyright 2022
dc.subject Security and Conflict
dc.title Definitions, Characteristics and Monitoring of Conflict Economies
dc.type Helpdesk


Files in this item

Files Size Format View
1099_conflict economies.pdf 298.4Kb application/pdf View/Open

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search DSpace


Advanced Search

Browse