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Bride kidnapping and informal governance institutions

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  • Zachary Porreca

Abstract

Bride kidnapping, a forced marriage practice, has surged in post‐Soviet Kyrgyzstan alongside a revival of traditional values. The central government has empowered councils of elders, or aksakals, to handle local disputes based on cultural norms, including bride kidnapping. This study uses data from a national survey and a latent class nested logit model to examine how aksakal governance influences men's decisions to kidnap brides. Findings indicate that living under aksakal governance makes men 9% more likely to obtain a wife through bride capture, with men substituting kidnapping for choice marriage modalities such as elopement and standard love marriages.

Suggested Citation

  • Zachary Porreca, 2025. "Bride kidnapping and informal governance institutions," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 43(2), pages 362-383, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:43:y:2025:i:2:p:362-383
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12672
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