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  5. Economic Roots and Economic Consequences of Violence
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Economic Roots and Economic Consequences of Violence

Paper Session

Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 3:45 PM - 5:45 PM (EST)

Hosted By: Association of Christian Economists
  • Chair: Stephen L. S. Smith, Hope College

Horizontal Inequalities and Genocide Risk

Charles Anderton
,
College of the Holy Cross
Roxane Anderton
,
Clark University

Abstract

Theoretical perspectives in the field of genocide studies show how economic and other forms of discrimination against ethnic or religious groups can elevate the risk of government-directed violent repression, including genocide, against such groups. Among the six dozen or so published large sample empirical studies of genocide onset, occurrence, or severity, only a few consider the genocide risk results of economic discrimination. Moreover, no large sample empirical studies, to the best of our knowledge, test hypotheses related to how horizontal or group-based economic inequalities (as distinct from vertical inequalities based on Gini coefficients or quantile measures) might affect genocide risk. Drawing upon a variety of data sources, we construct measures of horizontal economic inequalities for a large sample of nations for GDP per capita, consumption of goods such as food and electricity, and access to education. We then assess whether hypotheses related to horizontal economic inequalities and genocide risk receive empirical support.

Cultural Heritage Obliteration through an Economics Lens

Shikha Silwal
,
Washington and Lee University

Abstract

This study discusses a topic that is relatively understudied in economics: cultural heritage sites and their obliteration. While economics literature on culture, cultural practices, and cultural institutions is long-standing, overlooked are the roles of heritage sites in developing countries and during periods of violent conflicts. Heritage sites during peace times turn into blood antiquities during violent conflicts, and illicit excavations in one country end up garnishing museums in another. Covering a bird-eye’s view of these topics, the study also highlights prospects for future economics research and reiterates a unique opportunity they may provide for reconciliation in post-conflict countries.

The Gravity of Homicide: Interpersonal Violence and International Trade

Michael A. Anderson
,
Washington and Lee University
Morgan Dalton
,
BDO Global
Syed Rafay Hassan
,
Washington and Lee University
Stephen L. S. Smith
,
Hope College

Abstract

We explore whether civil violence –- homicide rates -- has an impact on international trade. We use annual trade data from 2000-2016 (including sectoral breakouts of manufacturing and services) in a PPML estimation of a structural gravity model with an innovative two-stage procedure, one that controls for other sources of violence. We find that civil violence harms exporting in economically significant ways, with the effect rising exponentially the higher is a nation's percentile in the global homicide rankings.

Discussant(s)
David C. Phillips
,
University of Notre Dame
Bing Jiang
,
Virginia Military Institute
Scott Cunningham
,
Baylor University
JEL Classifications
  • D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making
  • F1 - Trade