Group Identities in Conflicts

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Autoren

  • Martin Kolmar
  • Andreas Wagener

Organisationseinheiten

Externe Organisationen

  • Universität St. Gallen (HSG)
Forschungs-netzwerk anzeigen

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)165-192
Seitenumfang28
FachzeitschriftHomo Oeconomicus - Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics
Jahrgang36
Ausgabenummer3-4
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 14 Sept. 2019

Abstract

If the members of a group identify with their group, free-riding behavior within the group is reduced. This seems beneficial at first sight. However, in contests between groups, identification escalates conflicts, increasing rent dissipation and possibly generating welfare losses. Generally, in an inter-group conflict the adoption or non-adoption of a group identity is endogenous. We show that, if groups are similar in size and conflict technology, all groups will adopt a group identity, reducing welfare for all. If groups are unequal, the stronger one will develop a group identity, which goes at the expense of the weaker group. Out-group hostility favors asymmetric identities. Applications include team spirit in war and sports, national identities or (seemingly) dysfunctional behavior of social groups.

Zitieren

Group Identities in Conflicts. / Kolmar, Martin; Wagener, Andreas.
in: Homo Oeconomicus - Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Jahrgang 36, Nr. 3-4, 14.09.2019, S. 165-192.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Kolmar, M & Wagener, A 2019, 'Group Identities in Conflicts', Homo Oeconomicus - Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Jg. 36, Nr. 3-4, S. 165-192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41412-019-00083-8
Kolmar, M., & Wagener, A. (2019). Group Identities in Conflicts. Homo Oeconomicus - Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, 36(3-4), 165-192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41412-019-00083-8
Kolmar M, Wagener A. Group Identities in Conflicts. Homo Oeconomicus - Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics. 2019 Sep 14;36(3-4):165-192. doi: 10.1007/s41412-019-00083-8
Kolmar, Martin ; Wagener, Andreas. / Group Identities in Conflicts. in: Homo Oeconomicus - Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics. 2019 ; Jahrgang 36, Nr. 3-4. S. 165-192.
Download
@article{186530c9e7b5495684d7e5f199e9057d,
title = "Group Identities in Conflicts",
abstract = "If the members of a group identify with their group, free-riding behavior within the group is reduced. This seems beneficial at first sight. However, in contests between groups, identification escalates conflicts, increasing rent dissipation and possibly generating welfare losses. Generally, in an inter-group conflict the adoption or non-adoption of a group identity is endogenous. We show that, if groups are similar in size and conflict technology, all groups will adopt a group identity, reducing welfare for all. If groups are unequal, the stronger one will develop a group identity, which goes at the expense of the weaker group. Out-group hostility favors asymmetric identities. Applications include team spirit in war and sports, national identities or (seemingly) dysfunctional behavior of social groups.",
keywords = "Contests, Social identities, Parochial altruism, Prisoners' dilemma, D74, H41",
author = "Martin Kolmar and Andreas Wagener",
year = "2019",
month = sep,
day = "14",
doi = "10.1007/s41412-019-00083-8",
language = "English",
volume = "36",
pages = "165--192",
number = "3-4",

}

Download

TY - JOUR

T1 - Group Identities in Conflicts

AU - Kolmar, Martin

AU - Wagener, Andreas

PY - 2019/9/14

Y1 - 2019/9/14

N2 - If the members of a group identify with their group, free-riding behavior within the group is reduced. This seems beneficial at first sight. However, in contests between groups, identification escalates conflicts, increasing rent dissipation and possibly generating welfare losses. Generally, in an inter-group conflict the adoption or non-adoption of a group identity is endogenous. We show that, if groups are similar in size and conflict technology, all groups will adopt a group identity, reducing welfare for all. If groups are unequal, the stronger one will develop a group identity, which goes at the expense of the weaker group. Out-group hostility favors asymmetric identities. Applications include team spirit in war and sports, national identities or (seemingly) dysfunctional behavior of social groups.

AB - If the members of a group identify with their group, free-riding behavior within the group is reduced. This seems beneficial at first sight. However, in contests between groups, identification escalates conflicts, increasing rent dissipation and possibly generating welfare losses. Generally, in an inter-group conflict the adoption or non-adoption of a group identity is endogenous. We show that, if groups are similar in size and conflict technology, all groups will adopt a group identity, reducing welfare for all. If groups are unequal, the stronger one will develop a group identity, which goes at the expense of the weaker group. Out-group hostility favors asymmetric identities. Applications include team spirit in war and sports, national identities or (seemingly) dysfunctional behavior of social groups.

KW - Contests

KW - Social identities

KW - Parochial altruism

KW - Prisoners' dilemma

KW - D74

KW - H41

U2 - 10.1007/s41412-019-00083-8

DO - 10.1007/s41412-019-00083-8

M3 - Article

VL - 36

SP - 165

EP - 192

JO - Homo Oeconomicus - Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics

JF - Homo Oeconomicus - Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics

SN - 2366-6161

IS - 3-4

ER -