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Democracy: a Conflict Extinguisher or a Fuel for Terror?

Author

Listed:
  • Konstantin Yanovsky

    (Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy)

  • Sergey Zhavoronkov

    (Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy)

  • Ilia Zaycovetsky

    (Samuel Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies in Science and Technology)

Abstract

Today’s exaggerated, deferent focus on democracy (the ability of voters by means of elections to change the government, to cause power rotation) has led to some overvaluations of the institutions associated with this type of government and their ability to cure society of all ills. Thus, some people recommend resolving acute violent conflicts (civil wars) by holding free elections. The present article studies two instances when attempts were made to entrench free elections in the absence of institutions formed in advance to protect persons and property. We have shown that in situations of violent conflict free elections may improve the position of the violence perpetrators – the roving bandits – at the cost of worsening the predicament of the population whom the bandits control. The instances considered lead to the question of the possibility in principle of constructing an effective democratic mechanism in the absence of minimal guarantees provided in advance to protect the lives and property of the voters.

Suggested Citation

  • Konstantin Yanovsky & Sergey Zhavoronkov & Ilia Zaycovetsky, 2014. "Democracy: a Conflict Extinguisher or a Fuel for Terror?," Working Papers 0100, Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy, revised 2014.
    • Handle: RePEc:gai:wpaper:0100
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    File URL: https://www.iep.ru/files/RePEc/gai/wpaper/0100Zhavoronkov.pdf
    File Function: Revised version, 2014
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Democracy; violent conflict; bandit competition; basic individual rights;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation

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