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The social evolution of genocide across time and geographic space: Perspectives from evolutionary game theory

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  • Charles H. Anderton

    (College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, USA)

Abstract

A standard evolutionary game theory model is used to reveal the interpersonal and geographic characteristics of a population that make it vulnerable to accepting the genocidal aims of political leaders. Under conditions identified in the space-less version of the model, genocide architects can engineer the social metamorphosis of a peaceful people-group into one that supports, or does not resist, the architects’ atrocity goals. The model reveals policy interventions that prevent the social evolution of genocide among the population. The model is then extended into geographic space by analyzing interactions among peaceful and aggressive phenotypes in a Moore neighborhood. Key concepts of the analyses are applied to the onset and spread of genocide during the Holocaust (1933-1945) and to the prevention of genocide in Cote d'Ivoire (2011).

Suggested Citation

  • Charles H. Anderton, 2015. "The social evolution of genocide across time and geographic space: Perspectives from evolutionary game theory," Economics of Peace and Security Journal, EPS Publishing, vol. 10(2), pages 5-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:epc:journl:v:10:y:2015:i:2:p:5-20
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Charles H. Anderton & Jurgen Brauer, 2019. "Mass Atrocities and their Prevention," Working Papers 1901, College of the Holy Cross, Department of Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Coyne,Christopher J., 2020. "Defense, Peace, and War Economics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781108724036.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Genocide; social evolution; peacekeeping; aggression; Holocaust;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War

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