The Paradox of Peacekeepers: Reducing Conflict But Fueling Criminal Violence?

Peacekeeping Operations reduce political conflict intensity, yet their impact on nonpolitical violence remains unclear. This research examines criminal violence during peacekeeper deployment.

Peacekeeping Economics

• Reduced conflict creates economic opportunities (peacekeeping economies)
• These openings provide operational security for organized crime groups

→ Increasing violent competition among criminals

Demobilization Challenges

• Combatants leaving military service lack legal employment options
• Limited access to legitimate livelihoods pushes individuals toward criminal activities

UN Roles Compared

• Large military deployments correlate with higher homicide rates
• UN police force, however, generally helps moderate this unintended consequence of peacekeeping missions.

The findings suggest that peacekeeping strategies must consider both conflict reduction and potential economic side effects to effectively address security challenges.