Theme Leaders
Policies that aim at reducing conflict can operate by improving the returns to non-violent careers, by increasing the likelihood of detection and punishment, or by improving the ability of competing actors to find non-violent solutions. One challenge that remains for those public policies is to address the underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to violence and instability, to avoid vicious cycles of underdevelopment and violence.
Specifically, this theme examines the role of public policies across six key areas:
- Labour Market Policies investigates how employment programmes can prevent violence, with emerging evidence highlighting the promise of combining jobs with soft-skills training and behavioural therapy.
- Educational Policies and Programmes explores how education — particularly early interventions and cognitive-behavioural approaches in schools — can mitigate violence and promote pro-social behaviour.
- Welfare Policies examines how social protection systems can buffer individuals and communities from economic shocks that might otherwise trigger violence.
- Foreign Aid and Cash Transfers studies the impact of international aid and cash transfers on conflict dynamics.
- Illicit Economies and Conflict analyses how natural resources, drug markets, and criminal economies can fuel violence and undermine state institutions.
- Deterring Conflict and Enforcing Peace explores enforcement-based strategies, including policing, information campaigns, border controls, and refugee management, to prevent violence and promote stability.