Social structure and conflict: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa

Working paper • Vol/Iss. . • Harvard Scholar • • Published In • Pages: i-64 •
By Moscona, Jacob, Nunn, Nathan, Robinson, James A.

Hypothesis

There will be a relationship between segmentary lineage and conflict, and this relationship does not work through prosperity or religion

Note

The same model as the previous hypothesis was tested, but with added variables. The correlation plot was also used to test the present hypothesis, and found an association between segmentary lineage organization and greater population density(but not Islam or light intensity), as well as an association between population density and all types of conflict. Although the present model still found a relationship between segmentary lineage and conflict, the estimated effect was reduced.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
OLS EstimatesSupportedmultiple p-valuesUNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Population DensityControlPopulation
Segmentary LineageDependentLineages
All conflictsIndependentExternal Relations, Ingroup Antagonisms, Instigation Of War
Civil conflictsIndependentMilitary Organization, Revolution
Non-civil conflictsIndependentExternal Relations, Ingroup Antagonisms, Instigation Of War
Within-group conflictsIndependentIngroup Antagonisms, Informal In-group Justice
Country Fixed EffectsControlNONE
Historical ControlsControlCommunity Structure, External Relations, Settlement Patterns, Territorial Organization
Geographic ControlsControlLocation, Topography And Geology
Light DensityControlLight
Islam IndicatorControlNONE