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Democracy and armed conflict

Author

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  • HÃ¥vard Hegre

    (Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University & Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO))

Abstract

The article reviews the literature on the relationship between democracy and armed conflict, internal as well as interstate. The review points to several similarities between how democratic institutions affect both conflict types. It summarizes the main empirical findings and discusses the most prominent explanations as well as the most important objections raised to the finding, empirically and theoretically. To a large degree, the empirical finding that pairs of democratic states have a lower risk of interstate conflict than other pairs holds up, as does the conclusion that consolidated democracies have less conflict than semi-democracies. The most critical challenge to both conclusions is the position that both democracy and peace are due to pre-existing socio-economic conditions. I conclude that this objection has considerable leverage, but it also seems clear that economic development is unlikely to bring about lasting peace alone, without the formalization embedded in democratic institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • HÃ¥vard Hegre, 2014. "Democracy and armed conflict," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 51(2), pages 159-172, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:joupea:v:51:y:2014:i:2:p:159-172
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    File URL: http://jpr.sagepub.com/content/51/2/159.abstract
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Jetter & Bei Li, 2017. "The Political Economy of Opposition Groups: Peace, Terrorism, or Civil Conflict," CESifo Working Paper Series 6747, CESifo.
    2. Matsumoto, Mitsuko, 2016. "Three strands of explanations on root causes of civil war in low-income and weak states in sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for education," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 1-10.
    3. Jetter, Michael, 2016. "Peace, Terrorism, or Civil Conflict? Understanding the Decision of an Opposition Group," IZA Discussion Papers 9996, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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