Natural Resources and Violent Conflict: Options and Actions

Edited by Ian Bannon, Paul Collier

Recent World Bank research on the root causes of conflict and civil war finds that a developing country's economic dependence on natural resources or other primary commodities is strongly associated with the risk level for violent conflict. This book brings together a collection of reports and case studies that explore what the international community in particular can do to reduce this risk.

The book first explains the links between natural resources and conflict and examines the impact of resource dependence on economic performance, governance, secessionist movements, and rebel financing. It then explores avenues for international action— from financial and resource reporting procedures and policy recommendations to commodity tracking systems and enforcement instruments, including sanctions, certification requirements, aid conditionality, legislative and judicial instruments.

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