Effect of Violence on Peace Electoral Politics

• In Event: Poster Session: Conflict Processes II

Abstract

Researchers have found mixed results on the effect of violence on attitudes toward peace and support for hawkish candidates. While some studies suggest that violence nudges citizens towards more belligerent parties and less support for peace negotiations. Other studies affirm that citizens blame hawkish candidates and more willing to engage in peace negotiations for continuing violence. This study suggests that the effect of violence is conditional on the level of state presence. In territories where the state has lacked control and that are considered conflict zones, citizens are more willing to support peace negotiations and candidates in favor of peace negotiations. Instead, those citizens living in territories with strong state presence react negatively stronger to peace negotiations and dovish after any exposure to violence.

Author

• MAURICIO ANDRES VELA BARON, Misión de Observación Electoral (MOE)