ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the private-sector organizations that overlap peace and economic issues. It focuses on national groups that look beyond arms control, have conversion as an explicit goal, and have substantive programmatic activity in the area. Some would make conversion a special subset of economic-development problems. States and localities must cope with all kinds of economic disruptions, including the business cycle; conversion is considered just another of these disruptions. Conversion conferences are an opportunity for academics, community leaders, or officials to exchange information and compare strategies. Many organizations are working to provide information and education about the theory and practice of economic conversion to individuals and interest groups. As the seriousness of the economic adjustment needs has become clearer, increasing numbers of investment banking, venture capital, and privatization groups have focused on economic adjustment and conversion projects in the United States.
