Achieving peace and promoting economic and social development are the two main challenges facing countries like Colombia, affected by a serious internal armed conflict. A variety of studies, including this one, indicate that Colombia's violence and armed conflict stem from a complex interaction of economic, social, historical and political factors. This book concludes that attaining and consolidating peace is essential for Colombia. Without sustained peace, there will not be any economic and social development. Peace, once achieved, must be supported by broad domestic consensus and by economic and public policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and food security, among other issues. Among the books other conclusions, is that peace will require deep institutional reforms, possibly a new social contract.