Essays on Conflict Economics

Abstract

This thesis comprises four essays on the economic analysis of conflict, with an emphasis on non-traditional motivation among parties to the conflict. The first chapter surveys the literature on emotions and conflict economics. The second chapter proposes a theory of peaceability in conflict. Peaceability captures the willingness of a contenting party to fight and is arguably an important dimension of conflict not previously identified. The third chapter presents a theory of resource use and conflict, in which blame is an important motivation for conflict. Finally, the fourth chapter explores incomplete information as a potential source of conflict, wherein a contending party is uncertain about his opponent’s true willingness to fight.