Abstract

Provides an overview of theoretical and empirical approaches to the understanding of political violence through the prism of economic development, poverty and inequality. Found good reason, showing the increasing domestic forms of violence in situations of economic crisis and extreme socio-economic polarization of society. Bad governance, legitimacy crisis and economic decline lead to the fragmentation of society, intensification of violent confrontation in the sociopolitical space and increase the risk of civil war, revolution or coup. We can say that there are two theories that have played a major role in the specificity explained the link between poverty, inequality and political violence. The first is the theory of relative deprivation, which is the main source of political violence growth sees in social and political inequalities between different social groups. Long-term inequality leads to anger and despair among the general population, which for the sake of rapid political changes tend to use such a radical political tool as violence. The second is the rational choice theory, according to which the use of political violence risk increases with the decrease of per capita income, education level and overall economic development. Conflicts with the use of violence always cause destruction of accumulated physical, social, institutional and economic capital. This is especially feel in poor countries that are more vulnerable to deep crises. Failure to provide sufficient levels of investment in education, health, causes significant deterioration of human potential and living conditions.