by Paul Collier
First published 2005
Paul Collier builds on World Bank conflict research to examine civil wars across fifteen countries spanning six global regions. He applies the Collier-Hoeffler model through comparative case studies, testing economic theories about why internal conflicts begin. The analysis focuses on the widely debated question of whether civil wars stem from "greed" or "grievance" motives. Collier systematically revises and expands existing economic models of civil war through this cross-regional approach. The research concludes that scholars should move beyond the simple greed versus grievance framework. Instead, Collier argues for a more nuanced understanding that recognizes how economic and social motivations become inseparably linked in driving civil conflicts.
Genres: history, political-science, economics, non-fiction, africa, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: comparative-case-studies
Setting: Africa, World Bank
Period: 21st-century
370 pages · Paperback · World Bank Publications