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Gold and Civil Conflict Intensity: evidence from a spatially disaggregated analysis

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  • Balestri Sara

    (Department of International Economics, Institutions and Development (DISEIS), Faculty of Political Science, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC))

Abstract

This research is aimed at investigating whether the presence of available extractive resources, in particular gold, interacts with civil conflict intensity, accounting for sub-country level data through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. By a spatially disaggregated and specific resource analysis, I found that gold, gemstones and hydrocarbons productions within the conflict areas tend to increase conflict intensity. The analysis is carried out by applying a Zero-Truncated Negative Binomial model. Data for gold resource are extracted from an original dataset - GOLDATA - which provides a comprehensive list of gold deposits throughout the world completed of geographic coordinates, temporal information and characteristics. The overall finding is that the presence of exploitable gold resource tends to increase conflict intensity and that resources’ lootability and accessibility in wartime can largely determine to what extent revenues can be appropriated and misused during conflict events.

Suggested Citation

  • Balestri Sara, 2012. "Gold and Civil Conflict Intensity: evidence from a spatially disaggregated analysis," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 18(3), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:pepspp:v:18:y:2012:i:3:p:1-7:n:11
    DOI: 10.1515/peps-2012-0012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gries, Thomas & Haake, Claus-Jochen, 2016. "An Economic Theory of 'Destabilization War' '- Compromise for Peace versus Conventional, Guerilla, or Terrorist Warfare," VfS Annual Conference 2016 (Augsburg): Demographic Change 145617, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    3. Michael Denly & Michael G. Findley & Joelean Hall & Andrew Stravers & James Igoe Walsh, 2022. "Do Natural Resources Really Cause Civil Conflict? Evidence from the New Global Resources Dataset," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 66(3), pages 387-412, April.
    4. Hosli Madeleine O. & Hoekstra Anke, 2013. "What Fosters Enduring Peace? An Analysis of Factors Influencing Civil War Resolution," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 19(2), pages 123-155, August.

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