Segmentary Lineage Organization and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Moscona, Jacob; Nunn, Nathan; Robinson, James A.
• 署名单位: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Harvard University; University of Chicago
• 刊物名称: ECONOMETRICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0012-9682
• DOI: 10.3982/ECTA16327
• 发表日期: 2020
• 页码: 1999-2036
• 关键词: family; descent; institutions; COOPERATION; matrilineal; networks; HISTORY

摘要

We test the longstanding hypothesis that ethnic groups organized around segmentary lineages are more prone to conflict. Ethnographic accounts suggest that in such societies, which are characterized by strong allegiances to distant relatives, individuals are obligated to come to the aid of fellow lineage members when they become involved in conflicts. As a consequence, small disagreements often escalate into larger-scale conflicts involving many individuals. We test for a link between segmentary lineage organization and conflict across ethnic groups in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a number of estimation strategies, including a regression discontinuity design at ethnic boundaries, we find that segmentary lineage societies experience more conflicts, and particularly ones that are retaliatory, long in duration, and large in scale.