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2018 | Buch

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Civil War and Uncivil Development

Economic Globalisation and Political Violence in Colombia and Beyond

verfasst von: Dr. David Maher

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Rethinking Political Violence

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" , Springer Professional "Technik"

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This book challenges the conventional wisdom that civil war inevitably stymies economic development and that ‘civil war represents development in reverse’. While some civil wars may have adverse economic effects, Civil War and Uncivil Development posits that not all conflicts have negative economic consequences and, under certain conditions, civil war violence can bolster processes of economic development. Using Colombia as a case study, this book provides evidence that violence perpetrated by key actors of the conflict – the public armed forces and paramilitaries – has facilitated economic growth and processes of economic globalisation in Colombia (namely, international trade and foreign direct investment), with profoundly negative consequences for large swathes of civilians. The analysis also discusses the ‘development in reverse’ logic in the context of other conflicts across the globe.

This book will be an invaluable resource for scholars, practitioners and students in the fields of security and development, civil war studies, peace studies, the political economy of conflict and international relations.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Civil War, Development and Economic Globalisation

Abstract

This Chapter provides an introduction to the book, detailing the progress of security and development studies during the 1990s and 2000s. The core topic area that the book investigates – namely, the economic consequences of civil war – is then introduced. The idea that civil wars inevitably lead to economic decline, a pervasive assumption within the relevant literature, is challenged and this chapter asks an uneasy question: ‘Can violence in civil wars facilitate economic development and integration into the global economy?’ This chapter then discusses key concepts (namely, globalisation, civil war and economic development) and discusses a critical theoretical framework for studying security and development. Methods (particularly process tracing) are also outlined.

David Maher

Chapter 2. Civil War as Development in Reverse or a Case of Historical Amnesia?

Abstract

This Chapter presents a review of the literature that discusses the economic impacts of civil war. This chapter identifies what it calls a ‘prominent set of studies within the civil war literature’, a body of scholarship that highlights (inter alia) the negative economic consequences of civil war violence. An often-cited dictum is discussed: The idea that ‘civil war represents development in reverse’. The critiques of this position are then presented. In particular, critics argue that the ‘development in reverse’ logic is underpinned by a liberal interpretation of war and development, an interpretation that suffers from historical amnesia. Development has often been underpinned by violence, critics argue, which continues in many parts of the world today and leads to acute suffering for millions of people.

David Maher

Chapter 3. Colombia: Globalisation, Economic Growth and Civil War

Abstract

This chapter provides an in-depth case study of civil war and economic development in Colombia at the national level. The following paradox is investigated: during periods of endemic civil war violence, Colombia has exhibited strong economic growth and integration into the global economy. The evidence presented in this chapter suggests that, contrary to precluding economic development, Colombia’s civil war violence has facilitated economic growth. In particular, this chapter argues that violence perpetrated by Colombia’s military and right-wing paramilitary groups (often acting in concert) that is directed at both armed and unarmed groups has been conducive to economic growth and integration into the global economy. This includes widespread forced displacement and violence targeted at civilian groups such as trade unions and indigenous communities.

David Maher

Chapter 4. The Fatal Attraction of Civil War: Violence and the Oil Sector in Arauca

Abstract

With an appreciation that neither civil war nor development are spread uniformly across countries, this chapter provides a regional case study of violence and development in Colombia. This chapter focuses on the links between political violence, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and international trade. By analysing Colombia’s petroleum industry, the sector that attracts the majority of FDI in Colombia compared to other sectors and is one of Colombia’s largest exports markets, Chap. 3 provides a regional case study of Arauca, an oil rich region of the country. The evidence indicates that military/paramilitary violence has facilitated the expansion of Arauca’s oil sector by protecting oil infrastructure, by clearing land for oil exploration and by targeting civilian groups deemed inimical to the interests of the oil industry.

David Maher

Chapter 5. Rooted in Violence: The Expansion of Palm Oil in Meta

Abstract

Continuing to acknowledge that civil war and development are not spread uniformly across countries, this chapter analyses the development of palm oil in Meta, the region of Colombia that leads the country’s palm oil sector. Colombia’s palm oil is increasingly exported to international markets. This chapter thus gives insights into how violence can facilitate emerging markets in civil war economies to enter and compete in the globalised economy. The evidence suggests that violence in Meta has benefited the palm oil sector. Acting in concert, Colombia’s military and paramilitary groups have forcibly displaced large swathes of Meta’s citizens, which has cleared land for palm oil cultivation and enabled palm oil firms to expand their operations. The paramilitaries subsequently provide security for these plantations.

David Maher

Chapter 6. Conflict, Development and the Fluidity of Violence: Colombia and Beyond

Abstract

This chapter discusses the casual mechanisms observed in Chaps. 4 and 5, which are argued to positively link civil war violence and economic development in Colombia. Chapter 6 also introduces the concept of the ‘fluidity of civil war violence’, an understanding that different types of civil war violence perpetrated by different groups can have very different economic effects. It is further argued that studies should avoid a rigid view of civil war when analysing the economic effects of political violence. Chapter 6 then discusses the broader implications of the Colombian case, including a discussion of global trends in palm oil, as well as examples of other countries with civil wars and their economic trends.

David Maher

Chapter 7. Conclusion

Abstract

The concluding chapter argues that while some civil wars may have negative economic effects, it is not tenable to argue that ‘civil war represents development in reverse’. Some civil wars may produce violence that is conducive to the interests of global capital: Colombia during the 2000s is a case in point. In this regard, this chapter provides a summary of the main findings of the book and reiterates a crucial point: when certain groups economically benefit from civil war violence (for example, rebel groups, states or corporations), large swathes of people are nevertheless acutely and negatively affected by this violence, with processes of violent economic development producing tremendous suffering for millions of people across the world.

David Maher

Backmatter

Titel: Civil War and Uncivil Development
verfasst von: Dr. David Maher
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-66580-1
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-66579-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66580-1

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Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Civil War, Development and Economic Globalisation

Chapter 2. Civil War as Development in Reverse or a Case of Historical Amnesia?

Chapter 3. Colombia: Globalisation, Economic Growth and Civil War

Chapter 4. The Fatal Attraction of Civil War: Violence and the Oil Sector in Arauca

Chapter 5. Rooted in Violence: The Expansion of Palm Oil in Meta

Chapter 6. Conflict, Development and the Fluidity of Violence: Colombia and Beyond

Chapter 7. Conclusion

Backmatter

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