Post-war Reconstruction and Development: Coming of Age

Post-war (or the more euphemistic ‘post-conflict’) reconstruction has only recently been articulated as an important concept in international discourse, even though wars and the reconstruction after wars have been a constant of human history. The last decade, saw concepts of post-war recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction becoming increasingly the focus of international organisations, governments and NGOs, as well as becoming an important area for research and academic study. This new focus is not only at the level of political discourse but is rapidly being institutionalised as new administrative structures have sprung up in the international and governmental institutions of the world charged with addressing the particular problems perceived to be characteristic of the aftermath of conflict. Committing specific resources to the management of post-war recovery and development in this way suggests that it is part of a wider strategic agenda, beyond the familiar territories of humanitarianism and development. In fact, the reconstruction of nations post-conflict is now recognised as a key element in achieving global stability, security and the eradication of poverty in the 21 st century....