The critical importance of this books is captured in its main question: ‘how humans live in the shadow of violence’. This substantial question is taken further by several other questions that are framing the analysis: how do we, as researchers and policy actors, know? Do we have the relevant conceptual and cognitive apparatus to deal with many of the policy challenges and failures people experience in their lives. These questions are providing much needed critical evaluation of international development policies used in post-conflict contexts. The central contribution of this critical-context analytical approach is the way it is centred on those people who are at the receiving end of these policies in different contexts, and whether their experience-based knowledge is part of the international policy thinking.

This is a must-read for those who are interested in the intersections of conflict/violence, international development policy and people’s wellbeing. The book is based on significant research knowledge and policy experiences within multiple development policy contexts. It provides theoretically informed critical analysis of development policy practice in different and differentiated conflict/post conflict contexts.