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Rationality as a Barrier to Peace: Micro-evidence from Kosovo

Author

Listed:
  • Sumon Kumar Bhaumik

    (Centre for Economic Development and Institutions, Brunel University)

  • Ira N. Gang

    (Department of Economics, Rutgers University)

  • Myeong-Su Yun

    (Department of Economics, Tulane University)

Abstract

Despite a significant expansion of the literature on conflicts and fragility of states, only a few systematic attempts have been made to link the theoretical literature on social conflicts to the available micro-level information about the people who are involved in these conflicts. We address this lacuna in the literature using a household-level data set from Kosovo. Our analysis suggests that it is individually rational for competing ethnic communities, Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs, to resist a quick agreement on a social contract to share the region�s resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Sumon Kumar Bhaumik & Ira N. Gang & Myeong-Su Yun, 2007. "Rationality as a Barrier to Peace: Micro-evidence from Kosovo," HiCN Working Papers 31, Households in Conflict Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:hic:wpaper:31
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bhaumik, Sumon K. & Gang, Ira N. & Yun, Myeong-Su, 2017. "Poverty's Deconstruction: Beyond the Visible," IZA Discussion Papers 11160, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    conflict; individual rationality; economic deprivation; micro-evidence; Balkans; Kosovo;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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