ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part presents a range of research findings and examines trends culled from statistical studies and datasets. It takes a broad empirical approach in order to clarify patterns across cases, which will facilitate putting individual cases of conflict in a wider historical perspective. The part describes the occurrence of civil war over time, after which follows an introduction to mediation. It focuses on the effectiveness of peacemaking. The part also focuses on an especially difficult category of conflicts for mediators. It reports a positive impact of mediation on reaching agreements and compromises. The part assesses the topical question of whether war influences post-conflict economic growth in the short-, medium- to long-term time horizon. It shows that civil war countries experienced lower average economic growth than the comparable set of countries that had not experienced civil war.
