Since its early beginnings peace and conflict research has focused on causes of phenomena such
as civil war terrorism and state failure. The author merges this approach with a peace causes
perspective and asks why civil war happened in Peru (1980-1995) though not in Bolivia which is
striking given the structural similarities with Peru as well as a number of escalation episodes
leading the country to the brink of civil war (2000-2008). He explores the political measures
such as reforms and political dialogue which prevented the country from rather hazardous
consequences.
