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What is a civil war ? a critical review of its definition and (econometric) consequences

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  • Gersovitz, Mark
  • Kriger, Norma

Abstract

The authors argue that the academic literature, both qualitative and quantitative, has mislabeled most episodes of large-scale violence in Africa as civil war; these episodes better fit their concept of regional war complexes. The paper seeks to highlight the fundamental flaws in the conception of civil war in the econometric literature and their implications for econometric specification and estimation, problems that this literature is inherently incapable of rectifying. The authors advocate the comparative study of regional war complexes in Africa based on historical narratives.

Suggested Citation

  • Gersovitz, Mark & Kriger, Norma, 2013. "What is a civil war ? a critical review of its definition and (econometric) consequences," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6397, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6397
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    Cited by:

    1. Silve, Arthur & Verdier, Thierry, 2018. "A theory of regional conflict complexes," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 434-447.
    2. António S. Cruz & Fausto Mafambissa & Francisco Fernandes & Francisco Pereira, 2018. "The construction sector in Mozambique: An overview," WIDER Working Paper Series 117, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Balestri Sara & Maggioni Mario A., 2014. "Blood Diamonds, Dirty Gold and Spatial Spill-overs Measuring Conflict Dynamics in West Africa," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 20(4), pages 551-564, December.
    4. Massimiliano Calì & Alen Mulabdic, 2017. "Trade and civil conflict: Revisiting the cross-country evidence," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(1), pages 195-232, February.
    5. Carmignani, Fabrizio & Kler, Parvinder, 2016. "Surrounded by wars: Quantifying the role of spatial conflict spillovers," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 7-16.
    6. Sarabjit Kaur, 2020. "Do Economic Inequalities Generate Political Conflict? An Insight into Civil War and Niger Delta Crisis in Nigeria," Insight on Africa, , vol. 12(2), pages 160-174, July.
    7. Mohammad Ajmal Hameed & Mohammad Mafizur Rahman & Rasheda Khanam, 2023. "Analyzing the Consequences of Long-Run Civil War on Unemployment Rate: Empirical Evidence from Afghanistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    8. António S. Cruz & Francisco Fernandes & Fausto J. Mafambissa & Francisco Pereira, 2018. "The construction sector in Mozambique: An overview," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-117, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    9. Jordan Adamson, 2021. "The scope of political jurisdictions and violence: theory and evidence from Africa," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 186(3), pages 467-490, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Post Conflict Reconstruction; Peace&Peacekeeping; Post Conflict Reintegration; International Affairs; Hazard Risk Management;
    All these keywords.

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