Resource Unpredictability, mistrust, and war: a cross-cultural study

The Journal of Conflict Resolution Vol/Iss. 36 Published In Pages: 242-262
By Ember, Carol R., Ember, Melvin

Abstract

The article tests theories that may explain why warfare frequency varies from society to society. The focus is on ecological problems, particularly different kinds of resource scarcity, but social and psychological theories are also tested with both bivariate and multivariate analyses. Because unpredictable disasters are such a strong predictor in nonstate societies, the authors theorize that war may mostly be caused by a fear of nature.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)CombinationResource scarcity measures and warfare measures are new, but some variables on the socialization of children and social complexity were taken from others' coded data

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By:Kate Cummings Jessie Cohen