Identity conflict, ethnocentrism and social cohesion

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Sestito, Matteo
• 署名单位: Aix-Marseille Universite
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2024.103426
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: Ethnic conflict; Social cohesion; IDENTITY; AFRICA

摘要

This paper uses a novel dataset on ethnic warfare to shed light on how conflict affects social identification and cohesion. A large body of anecdotal studies suggests that ethnic identities become more salient at times of conflict. Using data from thirty-six African countries, I provide econometric evidence to this notion. The relationship between ethnic conflict and various measures of social cohesion is also examined, revealing a positive link between the two. The finding is understood as a result of the ethnocentric dynamics generated by conflict: as warfare strengthens ethnic identification, prosocial behaviour increases, albeit primarily towards co-ethnics. This parochial interpretation is strengthened by the use of remote violence and the conditionality of conflict-induced prosocial behaviour on low levels of ethnic fractionalisation.