Revisiting Opportunism in Civil Conflict: Natural Resource Extraction and Health Care Provision

Justin Conrad, Liana Eustacia Reyes and Megan A. Stewart

Journal of Conflict Resolution, 2022, vol. 66, issue 1, 91-114

Abstract: What is the relationship between natural resources and rebel governance? Previous studies have argued that resource rich groups have fewer incentives to provide social services. We argue, however, that even well-funded rebels may have incentives to provide some social services to civilians. Specifically, rebel groups profiting from the extraction of natural resources should be more likely to offer health care services as a means of ensuring a dependable civilian workforce than groups who do not profit from natural resources. Using data on both the extraction of natural resources and social service provision by rebel groups, we find strong empirical evidence to support our argument. We conclude with implications for scholars and policymakers.

Keywords: natural resources; rebel governance; internal armed conflict; civil wars; resource extraction; social service provision (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jocore:v:66:y:2022:i:1:p:91-114

DOI: 10.1177/00220027211025597

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