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Extermination as a substitute for assimilation or deportation: an economic approach

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  • Ferrero, Mario

Abstract

This paper places genocide or mass murder in a continuum of actions that a ruling power can take to remove an unwanted group from a society; that is, it views extermination as a means to an end, and it assumes that perpetrators are rational in the sense that they will choose the combination of means that can achieve the goal at the minimum cost to themselves. The means are assimilation into the general society, physical removal from view (which may involve either deportation within the country or exile from the country), and extermination. The available options and their costs will depend on the type of group, viz.: ethnic/national/racial, religious, income/property class, political. After developing the theoretical framework, the paper surveys a range of historical case studies from different types of group and finds good support for the cost-minimization hypothesis. In particular, it finds that in most cases the choice of means is an interior solution, as the hypothesis would lead one to expect, and that the chosen combination shifts as relative costs change.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferrero, Mario, 2013. "Extermination as a substitute for assimilation or deportation: an economic approach," POLIS Working Papers 174, Institute of Public Policy and Public Choice - POLIS.
    • Handle: RePEc:uca:ucapdv:174
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gregory, Paul R. & Schröder, Philipp J.H. & Sonin, Konstantin, 2011. "Rational dictators and the killing of innocents: Data from Stalin's archives," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 34-42, March.
    2. Ferrero, Mario, 2008. "The triumph of Christianity in the Roman empire: An economic interpretation," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 73-87, March.
    3. Mario Ferrero, 2017. "The Rationality of Serb Leaders in the Bosnian War," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 53-64, January.
    4. Stephen Wheatcroft, 1996. "The scale and nature of German and Soviet repression and mass killings, 1930–451," Europe-Asia Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(8), pages 1319-1353.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michele G. Giuranno & Manuela Mosca, 2018. "Political realism and models of the state: Antonio de Viti de Marco and the origins of public choice," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 325-345, June.
    2. Ferrero Mario, 2013. "You Shall Not Overkill: Substitution Between Means of Group Removal," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 19(3), pages 333-342, December.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • F51 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Conflicts; Negotiations; Sanctions

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