Land inequality and conflict intensity

TY - JOUR

T1 - Land inequality and conflict intensity

AU - De Luca, Giacomo Davide

AU - Sekeris, Petros G.

PY - 2012/1

Y1 - 2012/1

N2 - This paper investigates the impact of land inequality on conflict intensity. A fundamental distinction with the existing literature lies in the nature of inequality under consideration. We investigate how land inequality across landlords only influences the intensity of the fight against a rebel group comprised of landless individuals. We show that conflict intensity is non-monotonic in land inequality. In particular, the most severe conflicts occur for intermediate land inequality levels. Moreover, a Pareto improving—and thus voluntary—transfer of land from the smaller to the larger landlord may exist.

AB - This paper investigates the impact of land inequality on conflict intensity. A fundamental distinction with the existing literature lies in the nature of inequality under consideration. We investigate how land inequality across landlords only influences the intensity of the fight against a rebel group comprised of landless individuals. We show that conflict intensity is non-monotonic in land inequality. In particular, the most severe conflicts occur for intermediate land inequality levels. Moreover, a Pareto improving—and thus voluntary—transfer of land from the smaller to the larger landlord may exist.

KW - H41

KW - Q15

KW - Inequality

KW - Land redistribution

KW - Conflict

KW - D74

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=82755186252&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s11127-010-9692-8

DO - 10.1007/s11127-010-9692-8

M3 - Article

SN - 0048-5829

VL - 150

SP - 119

EP - 135

JO - Public Choice

JF - Public Choice

IS - 1-2

ER -