An Integrated Approach to Peace and Resource Security

Abstract

This paper explores the value proposition of using systems tools to model the interlinkages that exist between the security of water, energy, land, and food (WELF) resources and peace. The intersection between these five sectors, referred to as the WELF-Peace nexus, is complex, unfolds in a constrained landscape of specific context and scale, and involves the interaction of multiple systems and their subsystems. Multiple states of combined community peace and resource security are possible. This paper demonstrates the value proposition of using system dynamics to account for the interdependencies that exist between the four sectors of the WELF nexus and the domains of positive peace. Two existing indices, the Positive Peace Index and the Pardee RAND Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Security Index proposed by the Institute for Economy and Peace (IEP) are considered, and their interaction analyzed using system dynamics. The approach can be used to explore different scenarios involving linkages between positive peace and different forms of FEW resource synergy and tradeoff.