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Inequality, ethnicity, and social cohesion

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  • Omar Shahabudin McDoom

Abstract

How do changes in socio-economic inequality between ethnic groups affect interethnic ties in a divided society? I analyse the evolution of cross-ethnic marriages in a society affected by violence along ethnic boundaries and make three principal findings. First, as inequality between ethnic groups increases, the prospects of interethnic marriages decline. Status equalization between ethnic groups promotes cross-ethnic ties. Insofar as intermarriage indicates social cohesion, reducing ethnic inequality in multiethnic societies may facilitate ethnic integration.

Suggested Citation

  • Omar Shahabudin McDoom, 2017. "Inequality, ethnicity, and social cohesion," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-204, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2017-204
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Omar Shahabudin McDoom, 2016. "Horizontal inequality, status optimization, and interethnic marriage in a conflict-affected society," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2016-167, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    5. McDoom, Omar Shahabudin, 2016. "Horizontal inequality, status optimization, and interethnic marriage in a conflict-affected society," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 68932, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Omar Shahabudin McDoom, 2016. "Horizontal inequality, status optimization, and interethnic marriage in a conflict-affected society," WIDER Working Paper Series 167, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    7. Selway, Joel Sawat, 2011. "The Measurement of Cross-cutting Cleavages and Other Multidimensional Cleavage Structures," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(1), pages 48-65, January.
    8. Cederman, Lars-Erik & Weidmann, Nils B. & Gleditsch, Kristian Skrede, 2011. "Horizontal Inequalities and Ethnonationalist Civil War: A Global Comparison," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 105(3), pages 478-495, August.
    9. Fearon, James D. & Laitin, David D., 1996. "Explaining Interethnic Cooperation," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 90(4), pages 715-735, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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