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Kinship and Conflict: Evidence from Segmentary Lineage Societies in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Jacob Moscona
  • Nathan Nunn
  • James A. Robinson

Abstract

We test the long-standing hypothesis that ethnic groups that are organized around ‘segmentary lineages’ are more prone to conflict. Ethnographic accounts suggest that in segmentary lineage 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 to larger-scale conflicts involving many individuals. We test for this link between segmentary lineage and conflict across 145 African ethnic groups in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a number of estimation strategies, including an RD 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacob Moscona & Nathan Nunn & James A. Robinson, 2018. "Kinship and Conflict: Evidence from Segmentary Lineage Societies in Sub-Saharan Africa," NBER Working Papers 24209, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:24209
    Note: DAE DEV EFG POL
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    Cited by:

    1. Dincecco, Mark & Fenske, James & Menon, Anil, 2020. "The Columbian Exchange and conflict in Asia," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1319, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    2. Eleonora Guarnieri & Helmut Rainer, 2018. "Female Empowerment and Male Backlash," CESifo Working Paper Series 7009, CESifo.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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