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Land Reform Versus Repression in Counterinsurgency: Evidence From El Salvador

Author

Listed:
  • T. David Mason
  • Jesse Hamner
  • Amalia Pulido
  • Mustafa Kirisci
  • Frank M. Howell

Abstract

Land reform has been employed as a component of counterinsurgency strategies to inoculate peasants against rebel appeals by giving peasants their own land. However, the remedial effects of land reform can be undermined by right wing violence and rebel violence intended to subvert land reform implementation. We used municipio level data on land reform and election results from El Salvador to test propositions on the competing effects of land reform and political violence - right wing and rebel - on the distribution of popular support between the regime versus the rebels versus anti-reform parties in the regime. We find consistent evidence across three elections that “land to the tiller†forms of agrarian reform do increase support for the regime while right wing violence does erode support for reformist parties.

Suggested Citation

  • T. David Mason & Jesse Hamner & Amalia Pulido & Mustafa Kirisci & Frank M. Howell, 2025. "Land Reform Versus Repression in Counterinsurgency: Evidence From El Salvador," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 69(2-3), pages 242-267, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:69:y:2025:i:2-3:p:242-267
    DOI: 10.1177/00220027241247539
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jackson, John E., 2002. "A Seemingly Unrelated Regression Model for Analyzing Multiparty Elections," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 10(1), pages 49-65, January.
    2. Madhav Joshi & T. David Mason, 2008. "Between Democracy and Revolution: Peasant Support for Insurgency versus Democracy in Nepal," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 45(6), pages 765-782, November.
    3. Lyall, Jason & Blair, Graeme & Imai, Kosuke, 2013. "Explaining Support for Combatants during Wartime: A Survey Experiment in Afghanistan," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 107(4), pages 679-705, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Valsecchi, Michele & Olsson, Ola & Kopylova, Aleksandra, 2026. "Cadastral Reform and Social Conflict," Working Papers in Economics 863, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.

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