Risk, uncertainty, and violence in eastern Africa: a regional comparison

Human Nature • Vol/Iss. 24 • Published In • Pages: 33-58 •
By Ember, Carol R., Adem, Teferi, Skoggard, Ian

Abstract

This article examines resource problems and warfare in a sample of societies from eastern Africa. The frequency and predictability of resource problems are examined, as are two other dimensions of warfare: resource-taking and commission of atrocities. Differences between state and nonstate societies, as well as pacified and non-pacified societies, are also examined and shown to affect associations between resource and warfare variables.

Note

The cases in this study are all from the eastern region of Africa.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)eHRAF World Cultures
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)

Hypotheses (6)

HypothesisSupported
Resource scarcity will be positively associated with warfare frequency in nonstate, nonpacified societies (37).Supported
Resource scarcity will be negatively associated with warfare frequency in state societies (37).Supported
Unpredictable scarcity will be more predictive of higher warfare frequency than chronic scarcity (37).Partially supported
Resource-taking will be likely to occur during warfare (37).Supported
Resource scarcity will be positively associated with the taking of land and movable property during warfare and negatively associated with the taking of people during warfare (37).Partially supported
Resource scarcity will be positively associated with the committing of atrocities during warfare (37).Not Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Amelia Piazza