The political marketplace:a framework and toolkit for analyzing transactional politics in conflict-affected countries

This memo summarizes the research of the Conflict Research Programme (CRP) on the logic of the political marketplace and how it relates to war, peace, democracy and ‘what works’ to reduce violence in conflict-affected fragile states. It shows the utility of interpreting political systems and the actions of members of political elites in accordance with the standing assumption that they pursue the goal of political viability (survival and enhancement) in accordance with a legible logic of monetized transactional politics. The resulting framework is useful for civic and humanitarian actors in turbulent countries and for external policymakers seeking to promote stability, peace, democracy and development, insofar as it provides a clear-eyed evaluation of the challenges and dangers facing reformers.