What Can the Collective Action Problem Tell Us about the Recurrence of Civil War and the Long-term Stability of a Country?

This study attempts to explain why some countries experience multiple civil wars while others who have experienced a civil war build long-term stability from the rubble of conflict. The explanation of why civil war recurs focuses on the collective action problem, centering on the rebel leaders' ability to solve the Rebel's Dilemma. I further argue that once the Rebel's Dilemma has been solved once it is much easier for rebel leaders to solve it again and again. The empirical finds suggest that the political situation resulting from the first war plays a strong role in the solutions to the collective action problem and thus the long-term stability following a civil war. Namely, the level of democracy, partition and third party enforcement of the peace all affect the ability of the rebel leaders to solve the collective action problem and the likelihood of another civil war.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2005

Author dc:creator

• Kohler, Matthew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Meernik, James
• Mason, T. David
• Greig, Michael

• Civil war.
• Peace.
• rebel leaders
• democracy
• collective action problem
• recurrence
• civil war

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Kohler, Matthew
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 68963291
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4955/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4955

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4955