11.7 - War & Development
Causes of war in less economically developed countries (LEDCs)
Wars are often more prevalent in less economically developed countries (LEDCs), driven by a combination of social, economic, and political factors.
Factors contributing to war in LEDCs
- Ethnic divisions:
- Conflicts often emerge between different ethnic groups, as seen in historical events like the Rwandan Civil War between the Hutus and Tutsis.
- Some sociologists suggest that colonialism exacerbated these tensions by creating national boundaries that ignored ethnic differences, either splitting groups apart or forcing rival factions into the same nation.
- Economic inequalities:
- According to Frances Stewart (2002), while ethnic or cultural differences may play a role, the root of many conflicts lies in economic issues.
- These include disparities in wealth, inadequate government services, and widespread unemployment, which create fertile ground for unrest.
- Conflict risk factors:
- Paul Collier (2000) developed a conflict risk analysis identifying key triggers for war.
- These triggers included extreme poverty, the resource curse (where valuable resources like oil or diamonds fuel conflict instead of prosperity), ethnic divisions, and political instability due to weak governance or corruption.
The concept of 'new wars' and their characteristics
The nature of warfare has evolved in recent times, particularly in LEDCs, with a shift towards conflicts that differ from traditional battles between armies. Mary Kaldor (1999, 2007, 2012) introduced the term 'new wars' to describe these modern conflicts.
Features of 'new wars'
- Civil and ethnic conflicts - Unlike conventional wars, 'new wars' are often internal struggles within a country, frequently driven by ethnic or cultural divisions rather than territorial disputes.
- Targeting civilians - A disturbing hallmark of these wars is the deliberate focus on civilians, involving widespread violence and human rights abuses, rather than combat solely between soldiers.
- Globalisation's role - Kaldor argues that the breakdown of traditional nation-state structures, influenced by globalisation, contributes to 'new wars'. These conflicts often spill across borders, fuelled by the global arms trade, international terrorism, and the online spread of extremist ideologies.
Impacts of war on a country's development
War has profound and lasting effects on a nation's ability to progress economically and socially. These impacts hinder development and exacerbate existing challenges in LEDCs.
Consequences of war on development
- Reduced funding for development - When governments allocate significant budgets to military efforts and weaponry, there are fewer resources available for essential development projects like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
- Long-term societal issues - Mary Kaldor (2007) highlighted that conflicts lead to persistent problems, such as disease outbreaks, particularly in overcrowded refugee camps where illnesses spread quickly. War also deepens poverty and worsens famines by disrupting food and aid distribution.
- Damage to infrastructure - Essential systems like transport networks, communication lines, and utilities are often destroyed during conflicts, stalling economic growth and access to services.
- Disruption to education - Schools may be damaged or become unsafe, preventing children from attending. This leads to declining literacy rates and educational attainment, with a disproportionate impact on girls in regions like Afghanistan, where conflict has been ongoing for decades, severely limiting future development prospects.
Involvement of developed countries in conflicts in LEDCs
In an interconnected global landscape, developed nations often play a significant role in wars occurring in LEDCs, influencing the course and outcomes of these conflicts.
Ways developed countries engage in LEDC conflicts
- Military interventions - Developed countries may send armed forces to support one side in a conflict, aiming to stabilise a region or protect strategic interests.
- Supply of weapons - Providing arms and military equipment to factions within LEDCs can escalate conflicts, as these resources often prolong fighting and increase the intensity of violence.
- Global influences - The involvement of developed nations is often tied to broader geopolitical goals, economic interests, or efforts to combat terrorism, reflecting the complex interplay of global power dynamics in local wars.
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