When people are desperately poor, they are more ready to believe propaganda that another social group is to blame for their suffering, and to join armed factions which promise redress for their wrongs. Or, where a substantial number of people have no means of earning a living, it may be a rational decision to join a rebel army or militia. In Former Zaire in early 1997, only one in four people had a job, and industry was operating at only ten per cent of its capacity. Enormous wealth was in the hands of the few, creating circumstances which were ripe for exploitation by rebel groups. And yet, a very small proportion of aid from Western governments is spent on tackling poverty.
Funds go instead to prestige projects such as large-scale dams or irrigation.
Although every poor country is not at war, it is true that most wars are fought in countries which are poor or in which society is divided by extremes of wealth and poverty. Campaigns Policy . Fair Trade .