Book Launch: Making War Safe for Capitalism by Dr Elliot Dolan-Evans
Monash Global Peace and Security (GPS) recently hosted the virtual launch of Making War Safe for Capitalism, a groundbreaking new publication by our member Dr Elliot Dolan-Evans, Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Monash University and RMIT University.
About the Book
Published by Bristol University Press, Making War Safe for Capitalism delivers a critical intervention into the political economy and peacebuilding literature. The book interrogates how major international financial institutions, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have shaped global peacebuilding efforts since their establishment in the aftermath of World War II.
Drawing on extensive archival research and case studies from El Salvador, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, Dr Dolan-Evans traces how the logic of financial “de-risking” has come to dominate international responses to conflict. He argues that while such interventions aim to stabilise economies for investment, they often exacerbate inequality and insecurity for communities already affected by war.
Focusing particularly on Ukraine, spanning the 2014 War in Donbas through to the 2022 Russian invasion, the book reveals how financial reforms designed to make conflict zones “safe for capital” have simultaneously constrained possibilities for peace, justice, and recovery.
About the Author
Dr Elliot Dolan-Evans is a scholar of political economy, global governance, and peacebuilding. A former medical doctor, his research critically examines the intersections between capitalism, conflict, and development. He lectures in international law and global politics at Monash University and RMIT University, and contributes actively to scholarly debates on the ethics and political economy of humanitarianism.
Critical Reception
The book has already received wide acclaim for its bold critique and rigorous analysis:
“This work follows the money’ and shows how international financial institutions are core parts of contemporary conflict. It is highly recommended.”Roger Mac Ginty, Durham University
“Great title and a book to match. A compelling analysis of the devastating impact of IFI approaches in war-torn Ukraine.”David Chandler, University of Westminster
“An indispensable contribution to critical scholarship on war, capitalism and global development.”Alexandros Kentikelenis, Bocconi University.
Event Overview
Event Overview
The webinar featured a presentation by Dr Dolan-Evans, offering an overview of his research findings and theoretical insights, followed by an interactive audience Q&A. The discussion explored the enduring entanglement between finance and warfare, the ethics of reconstruction, and the implications for global peacebuilding frameworks.
🎥 Watch the Recording
For those who were unable to attend, the recording of Dr Dolan-Evans’ presentation is now available. In this engaging talk, Elliot provides an excellent overview of his outstanding book and its central arguments.
Watch the video here
To learn more about Making War Safe for Capitalism or to purchase a copy, visit the Bristol University Press website and use the discount code BUP50 for 50% off.