On peace and development economics

Abstract

Peace and economic development are inextricably linked, yet there is little synergy between researching and teaching the two. The development literature largely assumes peace, even if amidst weak institutions, while the peace economics literature largely assumes the absence of development. This essay presents examples of how integrating the two could help the profession understand better the economics of being poor. Since scholarship flows into what we teach, challenges and opportunities in teaching the economics of war and peace are also discussed.