Economic Globalization and Strategic Peacebuilding

Several key assumptions about economic liberalization that inform current peacebuilding operations must be reconsidered. Smith argues that there is little evidence supporting the assumptions that market liberalization leads to economic growth, reduces inequality, or creates neoliberal states capable of promoting peace. In fact, inequality is increasing, and many states are increasingly weak and undemocratic. According to Smith, international peace and security cannot be achieved without addressing inequality in the global order. Peacebuilding approaches must consider how peacebuilding...

Several key assumptions about economic liberalization that inform current peacebuilding operations must be reconsidered. Smith argues that there is little evidence supporting the assumptions that market liberalization leads to economic growth, reduces inequality, or creates neoliberal states capable of promoting peace. In fact, inequality is increasing, and many states are increasingly weak and undemocratic. According to Smith, international peace and security cannot be achieved without addressing inequality in the global order. Peacebuilding approaches must consider how peacebuilding operations reproduce power and must be delinked from the neoliberal “globalization project.” Smith offers policy prescriptions for peacebuilders that address the shortcomings of current neoliberal models.