Guest editors' introduction

• Published in: International journal (Toronto) 2006-12, Vol.62 (1), p.1
• Main Authors: Charles-Philippe, David, Gagné, Jean-François
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0020-7020; 2052-465X

The nine articles in this issue discuss the link between natural resources and contemporary conflicts. The traditional literature on this subject has tended to focus on major armed conflicts, more precisely on civil wars.' Greed and Grievance: Economic Agendas in Civil Wars, a collection of articles edited by Mats Berdal and David M. Malone, and the special issue of the Journal of Conflict Resolution edited by James Ron both concentrated on civil wars.2 There is good reason for this: civil wars account for more than 90 percent of today's conflicts, and most occur in countries where natural resources are a key factor in economic and political life. In investigating the linkage between natural resources and conflict, we also need to attend to interstate wars and low-intensity conflicts. History shows that invasion and conquest are usually about territory and the human and natural resources that come with it.3 However, in today's postcolonial environment, political leaders will rarely declare publicly that they are seeking control over natural resources as a matter of vital national interest. They could hardly secure the cooperation of allies or win public support for the pursuit of such selfish goals. Unsurprisingly, leaders prefer narratives that profess libertarian ideals such as freedom and democracy. Does this mean that the lofty ideals leaders proclaim when they go to war are nothing but a smoke screen for more pragmatic goals? The truth lies somewhere in between: neither practical interests nor avowed ideals can be ignored. We hope this special issue of International Journal will broaden the scope of the debate on the linkages between natural resources and contemporary conflicts. No publication can cover all aspects of a subject as complex as resource-based conflict analysis. This issue is intended to provide an overview of issues and themes in resource conflicts. The articles outline aspects of resource conflicts in their given context, in line with our understanding that conflict analysis must be incorporated into a broader examination of current economic, political, and social transformations.