Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/22462 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2006
Series/Report no.: 
Diskussionsbeitrag No. 350
Publisher: 
Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Hannover
Abstract: 
This article shows within a simple growth model how the make up of society affects economic performance when property rights are unenforceable. It investigates behavior of non-cooperative social groups that consume, produce, and appropriate resources either peacefully or through contest. For the case of symmetric groups it is shown that economic growth is generated only in peaceful societies. For the case of asymmetric groups rebel-equilibria are investigated in which a large majority behaves peacefully although challenged by an aggressive minority. In each case it is shown how the possibility of conflict and its intensity and the rate of economic growth depend on social fractionalizaton, general productivity of the economy, and the ease at which resources are appropriated. A final part extends the analysis towards behavior of non-benevolent social elites.
Subjects: 
Social Conflict
Social Fractionalization
Property Rights
Stagnation
Growth
JEL: 
C73
D74
O11
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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