ABSTRACT
Economic growth is allegedly the most important economic phenomenon as far as human welfare is concerned. A large literature has been developed in order to explain the considerable variation in growth rates across time and space. This chapter focuses on whether and how war influences subsequent macroeconomic performance. It explores the war-growth nexus and distils policy implications that are grounded in data. The chapter presents research on the connections between economic performance and war. It offers a careful evaluation of patterns of economic growth and development across the world for countries that have experienced interstate and intrastate wars. The chapter assesses available evidence and offering policy implications, especially for addressing the consequences of civil wars. It highlights the importance of peacekeeping operations for jump-starting post-civil war economies. The alleged link between economic conditions and civil war often focuses on grievances or greed.
