Does War Foster Cooperation or Parochialism? Evidence from a Natural Experiment among Turkish Conscripts

Arzu Kibris and Resul Cesur

No 30674, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Exploiting a natural experiment and an innovative survey design, we study the causal impact of armed conflict exposure (ACE) on the sociopolitical attitudes and behaviors of the average male randomly picked from the population. Contrary to the arguments that war fosters cooperation, we find little evidence of prosociality in exposed individuals. Instead, we document compelling evidence that ACE promotes parochialism, measured by opposition to peaceful means of conflict resolution, animosity towards minorities, and adherence to right-wing ideology. Further analyses show war-driven grievances, the normalization of violence in everyday life, and changes in parochial norms and preferences as the transmitting pathways.

JEL-codes: D74 O17 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ara
Note: EH PE POL
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