ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses economic issues that, over the last quarter of a century, have proved key to peacebuilding or have acted as major obstacles to it. Countries will be divided into some groups, depending on whether the UN operation took place following peace agreements in the 1990s; on whether they followed military intervention and/or took place during transitional administrations in the new millennium; or on whether the countries are on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission since 2006. The chapter expresses that the Commission has missed the opportunity to advocate for more inclusive economic and social policies in many countries except Rwanda at the bottom 10 percent of the Human Development Index. It is particularly important to ensure that private sector involvement will contribute to peacebuilding rather than being an obstacle to it. The chapter also outlines specific economic features of the transitions to peace, stability, and prosperity of Cambodia, Mozambique, Guatemala, and Rwanda.
