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Subjective Well‐Being and Peaceful Uprisings

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  • Caroline T. Witte
  • Martijn J. Burger
  • Elena Ianchovichina

Abstract

This study analyzes whether subjective well‐being measures can explain variation in peaceful uprisings, in addition to the objective measures typically used in analyses of this type of events. Using data on uprisings and subjective well‐being for 119 countries from 2007 to 2014 – a period during which nonviolent conflict became increasingly prevalent – we estimate panel data regressions, including instrumental variable models. The study finds evidence of a positive effect of life dissatisfaction on the incidence of peaceful uprising, but not its violent counterpart. This effect does not depend on the type of political regime, nor the stage of development, and, to a large extent, it reflects changes in perceived satisfaction with living standards and the ability to have a purposeful and meaningful life.

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  • Caroline T. Witte & Martijn J. Burger & Elena Ianchovichina, 2020. "Subjective Well‐Being and Peaceful Uprisings," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(1), pages 120-158, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:73:y:2020:i:1:p:120-158
    DOI: 10.1111/kykl.12219
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    Cited by:

    1. Martijn Burger & Martijn Hendriks & Elena Ianchovichina, 2022. "Happy but Unequal: Differences in Subjective Well-Being across Individuals and Space in Colombia," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(3), pages 1343-1387, June.
    2. Amanina Abdur Rahman & Spyridon Stavropoulos & Martijn Burger & Elena Ianchovichina, 2021. "Does Institutional Quality Moderate the Relationship between Corruption and Subjective Well-Being?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(3), pages 975-996.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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