War on Want's Annual Conference 2005

The economic orthodoxy of the society we live in starts from the premise that corporations, through the free market mechanism, both thrive in and create environments of peace, harmony and stability. If only everyone could surrender to the benign presence of the global corporation, all would be right in the world.

The widely acknowledged economic motives behind the recent war in Iraq have dented this paradigm in society at large. As oil, arms, private security and many other industries plundered Iraq’s economy, it became clear that companies often profit from war and conflict. Claims of corporate influence at Washington suggest that some companies go so far as to fuel conflict for their own ends. And even those companies which may believe they are merely restoring commerce and production to a war ravaged economy are unable to deny that they themselves are dependent on security apparatuses complicit in human rights abuses, in turn fuelling violence and poverty.

 

For more information you can download the following briefing papers and reports issued at the conference:

Making a Killing Overview [pdf]: An introduction to some of the major issues discussed at the War on Want 2005 Annual conference in a world of 'corporate social responsibility'

Corporations and Conflict in Sudan [pdf]: Despite international condemnation of the war, corporations have continued to invest in Sudan. A number including extracting and exporting oil.

Corporations and Conflict in Colombia [pdf]: Corporations as varied as British Petroleum, Monsanto, and Coca-Cola all have operations in Colombia despite an armed conflict lasting for more than 50 years.

Corporations and Conflict in Iraq [pdf]: The company that has profited most from the invasion of Iraq is US Vice-President Dick Cheney’s former firm, Halliburton, now with contracts worth over $10 billion.

Corporations in Equatorial Guinea [pdf]: While oil companies make millions, the Equato-Guinean population lives in desperate conditions, often without electricity and sanitation.

Making a Killing: War on Want’s Louise Richards looks at some global flashpoints where corporations operate, and makes the case for international regulation of their activities

Caterpillar: The Alternative Report [pdf] War on Want's alternative company report examines Caterpillar's idea of corporate social responsibility and it's part in the destruction of thousands of Palestinian homes.

Corporations and Conflict Homepage: Find out more about how the multinational corporations, complicit in conflict, are putting profit before people.