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Religion, Rulers, and Conflict

Author

Listed:
  • Metin M. Cosgel

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Thomas J. Miceli

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Sadullah Yıldırım

    (Marmara University)

Abstract

We offer new data and a new analytical approach to examine the roots of today’s civil conflicts that lie deeply in religious and political history. Religion’s effect on today’s conflicts come not from contemporary fractionalization or polarization, but from the deep-rooted effects of historical fragmentation coupled with rulers who could manipulate divisions by favoring co-religionists. To test the resulting hypotheses, we use a new dataset that includes annual information regarding the religious and political histories of today’s societies since the year 1000. We run regression analysis at both country and ethnic group levels. The results show that the likelihood of contemporary new conflicts is higher in societies that historically experienced religious fragmentation with rulers who shared religion with one of the groups and could thus favor coreligionists over others. Economic inequality and political grievances served as channels of transmission.

Suggested Citation

  • Metin M. Cosgel & Thomas J. Miceli & Sadullah Yıldırım, 2016. "Religion, Rulers, and Conflict," Working papers 2016-05, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics, revised Apr 2023.
    • Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2016-05
    Note: Metin Coşgel is the corresponding author
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    Cited by:

    1. Petach, Luke, 2024. "Monopsony in the market for religion," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 423-435.
    2. Umair Khalil & Laura Panza, 2025. "Religion and persecution," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 87-159, March.
    3. Coşgel, Metin & Histen, Matthew & Miceli, Thomas J. & Yıldırım, Sadullah, 2018. "State and religion over time," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 20-34.
    4. Skaperdas, Stergios & Testa, Patrick A., 2025. "National identity, public goods, and modern economic development," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 412-432.
    5. Hémet, Camille & Wren-Lewis, Liam & Mahoney, Jessica, 2023. "Decentralization, Ethnic Fractionalization, and Public Services: Evidence from Kenyan Healthcare," SocArXiv em3js, Center for Open Science.
    6. repec:osf:socarx:em3js_v1 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • O50 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - General
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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