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Shots, sympathy, and societal support: How conflict intensity translates into cooperative behaviour towards the displaced

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  • Weisser, Reinhard A.

Abstract

Severe shocks, such as natural disasters or major conflicts, can trigger substantial international support in the immediate aftermath. The continuation of support depends on the level of attention in the public discourse. Whereas general attention will inevitably decline with time, a resurgence of fighting could rekindle societal support abroad. Based on daily news coverage relating to 39 European countries, the emergence of such an offsetting effect is evaluated by introducing the concept of conflict pressure to quantify indirect conflict exposure. Societies not directly involved in a major conflict are found to respond to conflict escalation nevertheless: Across all stakeholder groups, attention dedicated to refugees increases temporarily, irrespective of actual support requirements. Providing additional material support to displaced individuals for a prolonged time, in turn, is mostly within the purview of governmental actors and, surprisingly, those from the economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Weisser, Reinhard A., 2024. "Shots, sympathy, and societal support: How conflict intensity translates into cooperative behaviour towards the displaced," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:inteco:v:180:y:2024:i:c:s2110701724000787
    DOI: 10.1016/j.inteco.2024.100555
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    GDELT; Military conflict; Public support; Aid provision; Attention economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • F51 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Conflicts; Negotiations; Sanctions
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • H84 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Disaster Aid
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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