Showing papers by "Dominic Rohner published in 2008"
24 Aug 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an empirical analysis of what makes countries prone to civil war using a global panel data set and examine different determinants of civil war for the period 1960-2004.
Abstract: Civil war is the most prevalent form of large-scale violence and is massively destructive to life, society, and the economy. The prevention of civil war is therefore a key priority for international attention. We present an empirical analysis of what makes countries prone to civil war. Using a global panel data set we examine different determinants of civil war for the period 1960-2004. We find little evidence that motivation can account for civil war risk but we suggest that there is evidence to support our feasibility hypothesis: that where a rebellion is financially and militarily feasible it will occur.JEL classifications: O10, D74.
840 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the higher the income of a country, the more likely it is to be favorable to political violence, whereas in rich countries democracy makes countries safer, below an income threshold democracy increases the propensity for political violence.
Abstract: Currently the strategy for promoting internal peace favoured by the international community is to promote democracy, the rationale being that democratic accountability lowers incentives for rebellion. We argue that democracy also constrains the technical possibilities of government repression, and that this makes rebellion easier. Although the net effect of democracy is therefore ambiguous, we suggest that the higher is income the more likely is it to be favourable. Empirically, we find that whereas in rich countries democracy makes countries safer, below an income threshold democracy increases proneness to political violence. We show that these results hold for a wide variety of forms of political violence.
199 citations