
How Perceived Inequality Can Lead to Political Unrest: Lessons from India
01.11.2019
The perception of inequality is often more important than objectively measured inequalities. Research conducted in India, one of the most diverse countries in the world, helps us to understand exactly what feeds the perception of injustice, which often results in political unrest. Research on perceived inequalities contributes to a better understanding of how democratic institutions may prevent ethnic conflict escalation
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Key Messages
- Perceived inequalities, rather than structural inequalities, are better predictors of the political mobilisation of ethnic groups and potential political unrest.
- Democratic institutions that include minority groups, such as power-sharing agreements, may contribute to preventing ethnic conflict escalation.
- While structural inequality measures help to quantitatively examine the effects of inequalities, policy initiatives also need to account for perceived inequalities. Political violence between natives and immigrants has been observed in many countries. However, the mechanisms underpinning the link between migration and political violence remain poorly understood.
Sources
Authors:
Seraina Rüegger, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
ruegger@icr.gess.ethz.ch
Madhushree Sekher, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India
madhusekher@tiss.edu
Sarah Bütikofer, University of Zurich, Switzerland
sarah.buetikofer@ipz.uzh.ch
r4d Ethnic Power Relations project:
https://r4d.epr.ethz.ch/ http://www.r4d.ch/modules/social-conflicts/ethnic-power-relations
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Downloads
PDF: r4d Policy Brief No. 3