Civil wars are the most common form of large-scale political violence. They are usually nasty, brutish, and long. Their causes are complex; ranging from fights over access to housing, jobs, and arable land or other resources, to political contests over offices, rights, and representation. Monica Duffy Toft explains how the study of civil wars has evolved, from in-depth, one-off case studies, to sophisticated statistical analysis and formal modeling. Although much of the actual fighting in civil wars remains the same, other factors have changed; including the actions of the international community.
