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One hundred years ago, most wars occurred between nations; today, large-scale violent conflict consists almost exclusively of civil wars in which civilians constitute 30 percent of casualties.’ According to a recent World Bank study of conflict, the poorest one-sixth of the worlds population suffers four-fifths of the consequences of civil wars. While poverty is the greatest risk factor determining a nation’s likelihood of entering into conflict, it is also one of instability’s most predictable consequencet—thus, war is a vicious cycle, and (...) poor nations may remain at risk for intense violence for years or even decades. (shrink) | |
The role of coffee in the land usepatterns and decisions of eastern Chiapas looms as akey ingredient in the social and political relationsof this conflicted area. Data from the municipios of Ocosingo, Altamirano, and Las Margaritas – threedistricts generally associated with the January 1994uprising – reveal similarities and distinctdifferences in land use patterns involving coffee. Theintroduction and spread of coffee, as well as themarket and production changes related to this export-oriented sector can be linked to the colonists whosettled this remote (...) region over the past severaldecades. The dynamics between grassrootscampesino producer organizations and the state'snow-defunct National Coffee Institute (INMECAFE)helped set the stage for the economic challenges thatfell full force upon the residents in the area in 1994and beyond. (shrink) No categories |