Corporations, global governance, and post-conflict reconstruction

In the past two decades, the international community has shown an increased proclivity to engage in programmes of post-conflict reconstruction in the aftermath of wars. During the same period, increased globalisation has meant that multinational companies have grown greatly in size and influence and have begun to challenge existing notions of governance at a global level. Yet despite these developments, the role that multinational companies play in post-conflict environments is not well understood. This book seeks to address this gap. It does so by exploring the reconstruction processes that have taken place in three countries: Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Rwanda. Based on extensive field work as well as existing literature, this book plots the recovery of these countries from conflict, and examines in detail the role that international companies have played in that process. The book also explores how companies' impacts on reconstruction are governed, both by the companies themselves, and by the host government and international agencies managing the rebuilding process. It is the clear conclusion of this book that the corporate sector impacts on all aspects of reconstruction. It affects not just, as may be expected, economic development, but also on fostering security and peace-building, on governance, and on the development of infrastructure. Indeed, in some instances, the very absence of foreign investors is a significant reason for ongoing instability in post-conflict environments.