A Micro-Level Perspective on the Dynamics of Conflict, Violence, and Development

This volume presents an innovative new analytical framework for understanding the dynamics of violent conflict and its impact on people and communities living in contexts of violence. Bringing together the findings of MICROCON, an influential five year research programme funded by the European Commission, this book provides readers with the most current and comprehensive evidence available on violent conflict from a micro-level perspective. MICROCON was the largest programme on conflict analysis in Europe from 2007-2011, and its policy outreach has helped to influence EU development policy, and supported policy capacity in many conflict-affected countries. Whilst traditional studies into conflict have been through an international /regional lens with the state as the primary unit of analysis, the micro-level perspective offered by this volume places the individuals, households, groups and communities affected by conflict at the centre of analysis. Studying how people behave in groups and communities; and how they interact with the formal and informal institutions that manage local tensions, is crucial to understanding the conflict cycle. These micro-foundations therefore provide a more in-depth analysis of the causes and consequences of violent conflict. By challenging the ways we think about conflict, this book bridges the gap in evidence, allowing for more specific and accurate policy interventions for conflict resolution and development processes to help reduce poverty in the lives of those affected by conflict. This volume is divided into four parts. Part I introduces the conceptual framework of MICROCON. Part II focuses on individual and group motivations in conflict processes. Part III highlights the micro-level consequences of violent conflict. The final section of this volume focuses on policy implications and future research agenda. Contributors to this volume - Chiara Altare, Universite catholique de Louvain Carlos Bozzoli, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Buenos Aires Tilman Bruck, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Jose Cuesta, World Bank and Georgetown University Olivia D'Aoust, National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS) Michael Emerson, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) Debarati Guha-Sapir, Universite catholique de Louvain Yvan Guichaoua, University of East Anglia Colette Harris, University of East Anglia Ana Maria Ibanez, Universidad de los Andes Patricia Justino, University of Sussex Julie Litchfield, University of Sussex Syed Mansoob Murshed, Erasmus University Andrea Purdekova, SOAS, University of London Timothy Raeymaekers, University of Zurich Frances Stewart, University of Oxford Nathalie Tocci, The International Spectator Philip Verwimp, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management Nina Wald, German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) Roger Zetter, University of Oxford