Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 10/2010

Misdirected Development a Threat to Security – Analysis of Southeast Asia

Manpavan Joth Kaur, Lina Gong

September 2010

Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies

Abstract

Under-performance on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and conflicts are connected such that the former can catalyse or prolong the latter. This Insight looks at Southeast Asia, where intrastate conflicts and violence have plagued countries for years. Three socially vulnerable groups experiencing inequality in access to outcomes of projects on the MDGs are identified - women and youth in rural areas and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The propensity for such inequality to incite and prolong conflict is examined.