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Erasing Ethnicity? Propaganda, Nation Building and Identity in Rwanda

Author

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  • Blouin, Authur

    (University of Toronto)

  • Mukand, Sharun W

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

This paper examines whether propaganda broadcast over radio helped to change interethnic attitudes in post-genocide Rwanda. We exploit variation in exposure to the government’s radio propaganda due to the mountainous topography of Rwanda. Results of lab-in-the-field experiments show that individuals exposed to government propaganda have lower salience of ethnicity, increased inter-ethnic trust and show more willingness to interact face-to-face with members of another ethnic group. Our results suggest that the observed improvement in inter-ethnic behavior is not cosmetic, and reflects a deeper change in interethnic attitudes. The findings provide some of the first quantitative evidence that the salience of ethnic identity can be manipulated by governments.

Suggested Citation

  • Blouin, Authur & Mukand, Sharun W, 2019. "Erasing Ethnicity? Propaganda, Nation Building and Identity in Rwanda," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1231, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:warwec:1231
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