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Ethnic Divisions and the Onset of Civil Wars in Syria

Author

Listed:
  • Abosedra, Salah

    (American University in the Emirates)

  • Fakih, Ali

    (Lebanese American University)

  • Haimoun, Nathir

    (University of Lethbridge)

Abstract

While most civil wars seem to have an economic basis, they are generally pushed by political, ethnic, and religious differences. This paper attempts to identify the drivers of the Syrian civil war of 2011 by investigating the role of ethnic divisions in starting a conflict. We integrate a variety of variables such as excluded population, power-sharing, anocracy, ethnic groups in addition to a number of economic factors. The main results indicate that ethnicity does not seem to be a very important factor in starting both the civil and ethnic conflict in Syria, but it shows that the lack of power-sharing to be the most significant factor. Therefore, where power in Syria was not inclusive and shared among different demographic segments, such as religious or urban groups, it created upheavals between different groups, as some groups disidentify with the state, paving the way to causing the conflict. Economic factors also provide an explanation of the onset of conflicts in Syria. The paper offers detailed policy suggestions that could serve as a recovery mechanism for the Syrian crisis and a preventive measurement for its reoccurrence.

Suggested Citation

  • Abosedra, Salah & Fakih, Ali & Haimoun, Nathir, 2021. "Ethnic Divisions and the Onset of Civil Wars in Syria," IZA Discussion Papers 14023, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    10. Matthias Basedau & Birte Pfeiffer & Johannes Vüllers, 2016. "Bad Religion? Religion, Collective Action, and the Onset of Armed Conflict in Developing Countries," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 60(2), pages 226-255, March.
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    armed conflicts; ethnic conflicts; ethnic groups; power-sharing; Syria;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • F51 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Conflicts; Negotiations; Sanctions
    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War

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