This scoping study provides evidence on the need for research on conflict, state fragility and social cohesion. It also provides recommendations on the scope and focus of a long-term research programme in this area. It builds on the consultation for DFID’s research strategy (2008-2013) undertaken in 2007 as well as initial consultations undertaken in August 2008 with DFID staff and partners.
These consultation processes suggested that there was demand for further research in two key areas: (i) The drivers and sustainers of conflict and fragility – looking at the relevance of different structural factors to different forms of conflict and fragility and well as the relationship between state and non-state sources of power; and (ii) prevention and recovery – looking at levels of resilience within states and societies with an explicit focus on state building, social cohesion and the impact of global dynamics, and considering key policy key trade-offs.
In order to examine and develop these themes in greater depth, this scoping study involved a number of elements: (a) a literature review of key materials related to conflict, state fragility and social cohesion, focusing on the areas identified above; (b) a broad consultation process with over 60 stakeholders in DFID, other UK Government departments, other donors, academic institutions and NGOs – including where possible southern stakeholders; and (c) a mapping of existing and (where possible) planned research related to this area being undertaken by academic institutions, other donors and government departments.
Key Findings:
- There are several projects engaged in monitoring and analysing trends in levels and types of conflict and fragility globally. There is increasing interest in looking at drivers at different levels and how they interrelate.
- There have been a number of programmes looking at links between inequality, exclusion and conflict. Key gaps appear to be synthesis and research that examines in more depth some of the drivers of horizontal inequalities and exclusion and policy interventions to overcome them.
- A number of research programmes, particularly in the south, focus specifically on conflict related to scarce resources such as land and water. There is a lot of existing research looking at the links between resource scarcity, environmental issues and conflict and the challenge is to explore responses.
- In terms of research on global and transnational factors affecting conflict and fragility, there are a number of programmes looking at global security and global governance issues. Certain regional and cross-border dimensions of conflict and fragility seemed to be relatively under-researched e.g. the (negative) impacts of foreign intervention, the regionalisation of conflict, the impact of the drugs trade, organised crimes, global economic change and crisis.
Recommendations:
- The scoping study suggests that the proposed research question be amended and divided into the two following questions: How do local, national and international factors combine to drive conflict and fragility in specific states? How can states and societies be supported to manage competing interests peacefully and lay the foundations for resilience, stability and durable peace?
- The report also proposes that the various areas of research be organised under the following three themes: 1) Building resilient, effective and peaceful States; 2) Non-state actors and exogenous drivers of conflict, fragility and peace; and 3) Building social cohesion and resilience to violence.
