Citation

Newman E, Keller N. J. Peacebuild. Dev. 2007; 3(3): 49-62.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, University of San Diego, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15423166.2007.830805478914

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many contemporary civil wars are characterised by a political economy of violence - a 'war economy' - whose actors are highly motivated by profit. Examining cases of Afghanistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina, this article draws attention to a different but related notion: criminal economic activities which characterise the political economy of violence during civil war develop a self-serving momentum and continue, after 'resolution' of the political conflict, to do great harm. The article explores the impact of illegal money-making - a legacy of the 'war economy' - on societies in post-conflict transition. It suggests that, in some conflict resolution efforts, the pressure to impose a 'political' resolution causes peacebuilders to neglect this legacy and so threatens the peacebuilding agenda.