Business and Conflict in Fragile States: The Case for Pragmatic Solutions (Adelphi series)

Large-scale investments in fragile states – in Latin America, Africa, the former Soviet Union and Asia – become magnets for conflict, which undermines business, development and security. International policy responds with regulation, state-building and institutional reform, with poor and often perverse results. Caught up in old ways of thinking about conflict and fragility, and an age-old fight over whether multinational corporations are good or bad for peaceful development, it leaves business-related conflicts in fragile states to multiply and fester. Surveying a new strategic landscape of business and conflict, Brian Ganson and Achim Wennmann conclude that neither company shareholders nor advocates for peaceful development need, or should, accept the growing cost of business-related conflict in fragile states. Drawing on decades of experience from mainstream conflict prevention and violence reduction efforts, as well as promising company practice, they show that even acute conflict is manageable when dealt with pragmatically, locally and on its own terms. The analysis and conclusions of this Adelphi book will interest policymakers, business leaders and community advocates alike – all those hoping to mitigate today's conflicts while helping to reduce fragility and build a firmer foundation for inclusive development. Large-scale Investments In Fragile States--in Latin America, Africa, The Former Soviet Union And Asia--become Magnets For Conflict, Which Undermines Business, Development And Security. International Policy Responds With Regulation, State-building And Institutional Reform, With Poor And Often Perverse Results. Caught Up In Old Ways Of Thinking About Conflict And Fragility, And An Age-old Fight Over Whether Multinational Corporations Are Good Or Bad For Peaceful Development, It Leaves Business-related Conflicts In Fragile States To Multiply And Fester. Surveying A New Strategic Landscape Of Business And Conflict, Brian Ganson And Achim Wennmann Conclude That Neither Company Shareholders Nor Advocates For Peaceful Development Need, Or Should, Accept The Growing Cost Of Business-related Conflict In Fragile States. Drawing On Decades Of Experience From Mainstream Conflict Prevention And Violence Reduction Efforts, As Well As Promising Company Practice, They Show That Even Acute Conflict Is Manageable When Dealt With Pragmatically, Locally And On Its Own Terms. The Analysis And Conclusions Of This Adelphi Book Will Interest Policymakers, Business Leaders And Community Advocates Alike--all Those Hoping To Mitigate Today's Conflicts While Helping To Reduce Fragility And Build A Firmer Foundation For Inclusive Development. -- Back Cover. Business And Conflict In Fragile States -- Predatory Companies In Fragile States -- Business And Peaceful Development In Fragile States -- The Changing Landscape Of Business And Conflict In Fragile States -- The Limits Of State-building -- Responses To Conflicts That Work -- The Case For Pragmatic Solutions Brian Ganson And Achim Wennmann. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Large-scale investments in fragile states in Latin America, Africa, the former Soviet Union and Asia become magnets for conflict, which undermines business, development and security. International policy responds with regulation, state-building and institutional reform, with poor and often perverse results. Caught up in old ways of thinking about conflict and fragility, and an age-old fight over whether multinational corporations are good or bad for peaceful development, it leaves business-related conflicts in fragile states to multiply and fester. Surveying a new strategic landscape of business and conflict, Brian Ganson and Achim Wennmann conclude that neither company shareholders nor advocates for peaceful development need, or should, accept the growing cost of business-related conflict in fragile states. Drawing on decades of experience from mainstream conflict prevention and violence reduction efforts, as well as promising company practice, they show that even acute conflict is manageable when dealt with pragmatically, locally and on its own terms. The analysis and conclusions of this Adelphi book will interest policymakers, business leaders and community advocates alike all those hoping to mitigate today s conflicts while helping to reduce fragility and build a firmer foundation for inclusive development. "There are a number of contemporary international responses to business and conflict in fragile states. But are there alternatives to the dominant international approaches that could perhaps better address destructive conflicts related to large-scale business operations in fragile states? This Adelphi explores these alternatives, showing how even acute conflict can be manageable, and providing analysis and conclusions that will interest business leaders, policymakers and community advocates alike." -- Publisher's web site