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Segmentary Lineage Organization and Conflict in Sub‐Saharan Africa

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  • Jacob Moscona
  • Nathan Nunn
  • James A. Robinson

Abstract

We test the longstanding hypothesis that ethnic groups organized around “segmentary lineages” are more prone to conflict. Ethnographic accounts suggest that in such societies, which are characterized by strong allegiances to distant relatives, individuals are obligated to come to the aid of fellow lineage members when they become involved in conflicts. As a consequence, small disagreements often escalate into larger‐scale conflicts involving many individuals. We test for a link between segmentary lineage organization and conflict across ethnic groups in sub‐Saharan Africa. Using a number of estimation strategies, including a regression discontinuity design at ethnic boundaries, we find that segmentary lineage societies experience more conflicts, and particularly ones that are retaliatory, long in duration, and large in scale.

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  • Jacob Moscona & Nathan Nunn & James A. Robinson, 2020. "Segmentary Lineage Organization and Conflict in Sub‐Saharan Africa," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 88(5), pages 1999-2036, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:emetrp:v:88:y:2020:i:5:p:1999-2036
    DOI: 10.3982/ECTA16327
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    6. Emilio Depetris-Chauvin & Ömer Özak, 2023. "(De facto) Historical Ethnic Borders and Land Tenure in Sub-Saharan Africa," Departmental Working Papers 2304, Southern Methodist University, Department of Economics.
    7. Bühler, Mathias, 2023. "Trade and Regional Economic Development," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277609, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    8. Massimo Morelli & Laura Ogliari & Long Hong, 2023. "Power Mismatch and Civil Conflict:An Empirical Investigation," Working Papers 703, IGIER (Innocenzo Gasparini Institute for Economic Research), Bocconi University.
    9. Zhang, Yu & Xu, Zhicheng Phil & Kibriya, Shahriar, 2021. "The long-term effects of the slave trade on political violence in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 776-800.
    10. Depetris-Chauvin, Emilio & Özak, Ömer, 2023. "(De facto) Historical Ethnic Borders and Contemporary Conflict in Africa," MPRA Paper 116868, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Paz, Santiago, 2023. "Long Run Consequences of Ethnic Conflict On Social Capital: Evidence from South Africa," Documentos CEDE 20923, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    12. Maxwell Mkondiwa, 2020. "Mancala board games and origins of entrepreneurship in Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-23, October.
    13. Bahrami-Rad, Duman, 2021. "Keeping it in the family: Female inheritance, inmarriage, and the status of women," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    14. Artiles, Miriam, 2022. "Within-Group Heterogeneity in a Multi-Ethnic Society," MPRA Paper 112782, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Collins, Matthew, 2022. "Sibling Gender, Inheritance Customs and Educational Attainment: Evidence from Matrilineal and Patrilineal Societies," Working Papers 2022:5, Lund University, Department of Economics.
    16. Kai Gehring & Paul Schaudt, 2023. "Insuring Peace: Index-Based Livestock Insurance, Droughts, and Conflict," CESifo Working Paper Series 10423, CESifo.

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