The Political Boundaries of Ethnic Divisions / Samuel Bazzi, Matthew Gudgeon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bazzi, Samuel.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Gudgeon, Matthew.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w24625.

NBER working paper series no. w24625

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2018.

Summary:

This paper argues that redrawing subnational political boundaries can transform ethnic divisions. We use a natural policy experiment in Indonesia to show how the effects of ethnic diversity on conflict depend on the political units within which groups are organized. Redistricting along group lines can reduce conflict, but these gains are undone or even reversed when the new borders introduce greater polarization. These adverse effects of polarization are further amplified around majoritarian elections, consistent with strong incentives to capture new local governments in settings with ethnic favoritism. Overall, our findings illustrate the promise and pitfalls of redistricting in diverse countries.

Notes:

Print version record

May 2018.