Peacebuilding Potential of the International Private Sector in Post-Conflict/Post-Disaster Societies
Bhatnagar, Rahul
2011
- Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree of Master of International Business at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Abstract: There is a considerable body of research in favor of the role of the international private sector in post-conflict/post-disaster reconstruction. Models (of potential involvement) as well as case studies of successful involvement have been put forward by various ... read moreactors which include multilateral organizations, NGOs, Academic and international private sector firms. The common thread running through this body of research is that the international private sector has the potential to play the part of a major player in peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts. Despite this accepted wisdom, the international private sector has been very slow to get involved in post conflict/post-disaster reconstruction efforts. Why is this? This research attempts to answer this question followed by a more crucial one: Can institutional facilitation of the involvement of the international private sector through a UN (or UN mandated) peacekeeping/stabilization operation (in the early stages) lead to a sustainable private sector intervention in the longer term? Supported by field research conducted in Haiti, this research tests the hypothesis that sustainable, long term and productive activity by the external private sector in a post-conflict/post-disaster society requires a vehicle within whose framework, the private sector can operate. A UN or UN-mandated peacekeeping mission is ideally suited to be such a vehicle given the holistic makeup and mandate of such missions. International private sector activity aimed at development of the local economy in the absence of such a vehicle will be faced with challenges that make such efforts unsustainable (as is the case today). Additionally, private sector involvement in the early stages of the post-conflict/post-disaster reconstruction process will lead to greater 'peace dividend' for the host country as well as greater profit making potential for the business entity due to first mover advantage and other reasons)read less
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- nk322r344
- Component ID:
- tufts:UA015.012.080.00015
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