Oil, Profits and Peace: Does Business Have a Role in Peacemaking?(Book review)

Publication: International Journal on World Peace

Publication Date: 01-MAR-08

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Professors World Peace Academy

OIL, PROFITS AND PEACE: DOES BUSINESS HAVE A ROLE IN PEACEMAKING?

Jill Shankleman

Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace Press, 2007

234 pages, paper, $35.00

In her book Oil, Profits, and Peace: Does Business Have a Role in Peacemaking?, Jill Shankleman analyzes how governments often respond to oil wealth, discusses the relationship between oil and conflict, and explores the role of oil companies in peacebuilding. The book is timely considering that a number of developing countries, primarily in Africa, are pursuing exploration for oil in order to increase wealth. Historically, oil rich developing countries have experienced unstable economies and weak government institutions due to the "high incidence of corruption and violent conflict, and low scores in education and health services and economic strength" (p. 3). Shankleman introduces the complexities of the oil industry, conflict in oil producing countries and corporate social responsibility, and skillfully delineates the issues in a clear and understandable way.

In the first half of the book, the author establishes the framework that prepares the reader for the analysis of the case studies. This framework is composed of two parts. First, an explanation of the links between oil and conflict is offered. Second, oil companies' response through corporate social responsibility is analyzed. After providing the reader with...

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