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Police integration and support for anti-government violence in divided societies: Evidence from Iraq

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  • Matthew Nanes

    (Department of Political Science, Saint Louis University)

Abstract

How does the demographic makeup of the police affect violent conflict in divided societies? I argue that following a shift in relative group power, integrating the police rank-and-file addresses incentives to rebel by solving a commitment problem between the powerful state and a weaker group. I test this argument using a survey experiment of 800 Baghdad residents. Providing Sunni (minority) respondents with an informational prime that the police are integrated reduces support for anti-government violence. Consistent with the commitment mechanism, Sunnis, but not Shias, who receive the prime are less fearful of future repression by the government. The key mechanism is the way in which officers are distributed. It is more difficult for the state to renege on inclusion when minority officers serve in mixed units rather than being isolated in minority-only units. Patrol-level heterogeneity makes it difficult for the government to withhold equipment or information from officers on the basis of group identity, and makes the state reliant on officers from all groups to serve all parts of the country. Among survey respondents in Baghdad, I find that those who perceive the police as mixed between Sunnis and Shias, but not those who perceive officers to be primarily members of their own sect, are less expectant that the government will try to harm them. This article contributes to research on institutions in divided societies by identifying a form of inclusion which is self-enforcing, improving long-term prospects for peace by resolving underlying insecurities in the shadow of historical conflict.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Nanes, 2020. "Police integration and support for anti-government violence in divided societies: Evidence from Iraq," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 57(2), pages 329-343, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:joupea:v:57:y:2020:i:2:p:329-343
    DOI: 10.1177/0022343319866901
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wimmer, Andreas, 2003. "Democracy And Ethno-Religious Conflict In Iraq," Discussion Papers 18719, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
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    4. Fearon, James D. & Laitin, David D., 2003. "Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 97(1), pages 75-90, February.
    5. Chapman, Thomas & Roeder, Philip G., 2007. "Partition as a Solution to Wars of Nationalism: The Importance of Institutions," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 101(4), pages 677-691, November.
    6. Samii, Cyrus, 2013. "Perils or Promise of Ethnic Integration? Evidence from a Hard Case in Burundi," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 107(3), pages 558-573, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kristine Eck & Courtenay R. Conrad & Charles Crabtree, 2021. "Policing and Political Violence," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 65(10), pages 1641-1656, November.

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