War and Peace: The European Decolonization Process

Nuno Garoupa and João Gata

No 2001/02, Working Papers Department of Economics from ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Department of Economics, Universidade de Lisboa

Abstract: Current historiography on the European decolonization processes has developed no general theory of these processes, but is rather a collection of case-based studies. Moreover, there is no consideration for counter-factual possibilities, including the analysis of those cases where independence has not occurred. In this paper we aim at constructing a rational theory approach to decolonization that can encompass the majority of historical cases. Our rational theory is constructed by considering the possible convergence, or divergence, of interests between central and local administrations, and the weight that each carries in the decolonization decision-making process. Our theory predicts that a high value colony will be more likely to experience a colonial war, whereas a low value colony is more likely to achieve independence in a peaceful manner. This observation has to be definned once we allow for the existence of a domestic: game between haw (pro-colonialism) and daves (pro-independence). We then study the strategic relations between the two players, native political organizations and the colonial power, and the domestic outcome.

Keywords: colonialism; decolonization; colonial war; colonizer's rent; extensive form game; subgame perfect equilibrium. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C71 C72 N00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ise:isegwp:wp22001

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Working Papers Department of Economics from ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Department of Economics, Universidade de Lisboa Department of Economics, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua do Quelhas 6, 1200-781 LISBON, PORTUGAL.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Vitor Escaria ().