Dismantling the Conflict Trap: The Prospect for a New Research Agenda

Abstract

Over 40 percent of civil wars reoccur after a decade (Collier et al, 2008). Much of the academic and popular literature emphasizes the level of economic development (Collier & Hoeffler, 2004); civil war outcomes (Walter, 2011); democratic institutions (Roeder & Rothchild 2005); the degree of ethnic fractionalization (Horowitz, 1985); and the role of the international community (Fortna, 2008). Yet, despite all the extensive attention that civil war recurrence has received in the literature, the existing studies still fail to address some important issues. The present panel fills this analytical gap by answering the following questions: To what extent does the impact of corruption on state building lead to civil war recurrence? How does the form of governance matter? What role does credible commitment of the international community and domestic actors play to prevent relapse into civil war? How do the strategic interactions among rebel groups lead to outbreaks of violence? What are the options available to policy makers to build peace in a post-conflict society?

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