Institutions, contexts, and ethnic violence in comparative perspective. Issue 3 (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Feng-yu; Lin, Tse-min
• Is Part Of: International political science review. Volume 42:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 400
• Page End: 415
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Government structures -- electoral systems -- ethnic violence -- ethnic configuration -- multilevel analysis; Political science -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0192512119891540
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-5121

Abstract

Which combinations of government structures and electoral systems create better frameworks for addressing ethnic violence? Is there any one-size-fits-all institutional solution to violent ethnic conflict? Why or why not? These questions are of substantial importance to scholars and policymakers alike, but the extant literature does not provide a systematic and thorough exploration. In this article, we argue that the effects of political institutions on ethnic violence are moderated by parameters of ethnic configurations. Through a large comparative study, we find that institutions are relevant when ethnic groups are not geographically dispersed, and whether ethnic minorities face a majority group also matters. For concentrated minorities facing a majority, semi-presidential-proportional and presidential-proportional systems are more effective in reducing violence. In cases involving concentrated minorities facing no majority, parliamentary-non-proportional systems are associated with the most intense violence. We conclude that states seeking to alleviate ethnic violence by institutional engineering must take contexts seriously.