Conclusion

Abstract

The concluding chapter argues that while some civil wars may have negative economic effects, it is not tenable to argue that ‘civil war represents development in reverse’. Some civil wars may produce violence that is conducive to the interests of global capital: Colombia during the 2000s is a case in point. In this regard, this chapter provides a summary of the main findings of the book and reiterates a crucial point: when certain groups economically benefit from civil war violence (for example, rebel groups, states or corporations), large swathes of people are nevertheless acutely and negatively affected by this violence, with processes of violent economic development producing tremendous suffering for millions of people across the world.