The Conflict-Growth Nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Conflict in Africa has been explained by factors related to greed and grievances. These are insufficient to initiate conflict in the absence of institutional failure or a degenerating social contract which may be heightened by the lack of economic growth. I emphasize the inseparability between economics and politics, drawing out the similarities between the causes of conflict and the reasons for the lack of sustained growth both of which require institutional malfunctioning. The centrality of reducing inequalities, particularly categorical inequalities between groups based on unequal access to productive assets such as land, education, as well as individual inequality of opportunity, cannot be overemphasized. The democratic transition has the potential of producing violence as people have greater scope for venting dissatisfaction, especially when unaccompanied by egalitarian and pro-poor economic progress. The relationship between growth and conflict is non-linear; lack of growth and the poverty it produces engenders conflict. Equally rapid growth accompanied by heightening inequality can also cause conflict.