Looting and Conflict between Ethno-Regional Groups: Lessons for State Formation in Africa

Journal of Conflict Resolution, vol. 46, No. 1, February 2002.
Copyright: Journal of Conflict Resolution

A game-theoretic model is analyzed for discussing the determination of looting and fighting activity during a civil war between two ethno-regional groups. The Nash equilibrium of this game emphasizes population size, production capacity and productivity, and access to external funding as the main determinants of the size of the armies and of the intensity of looting activity. The Nash equilibrium of the game between the two warlords involves an excessive level of looting. Some lessons are drawn from this framework in order to bring out the minimum redistribution of resources between groups that must take place in a peaceful equilibrium.