There is very limited literature that explicitly discusses linkages between (1.) economic growth and employment generation and (2.) state- and peace-building. As such, this helpdesk report relies on literature that makes implicit references to such connections. The following are a summary of key points that emerged from the review. The review did not uncover any information on the gendered nature of these linkages.
- Neoliberal policies for promoting economic growth have the potential to undermine state legitimacy
- A key difficulty with the statebuilding process is limited state resources.
- The inability of the state to address societal problems and to promote economic and employment opportunities has limited state legitimacy and contributed to social unrest
- Building public trust in institutions and positive perceptions of the country’s future are important in promoting growth.
- Taxation is of particular importance in statebuilding
- Greater attention to job creation, inequalities and social protection is believed to contribute more effectively to statebuilding and peacebuilding processes
- Both agricultural and industrial production have the potential to generate growth and substantial employment
- Rapid privatisation of state-owned enterprises can be damaging from a statebuilding perspective as they can be exclusionary
- The commodification of land can undermine peacebuilding by creating generations of disaffected landless populations
- Focus on the natural resource sector can undermine state- and peace-building efforts
- Attention to spatial and regional inequalities is also important in growth strategies and in peacebuilding.
