The Impact of Violence on Civilians' Political Preferences: Evidence from the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

About

More than conventional warfare that pits two large armies of roughly equal strength against each other on a battlefield, modern conflict often pits two sides of unequal strength in an effort to influence the hearts and minds of civilians on both sides. These conflicts, in which a limited number of fatalities are used to affect negotiations, demoralize the civilian population, or strategically incapacitate the opponent, are largely psychological. Public opinion plays a crucial role in such conflicts, to the point that most of the battles are conducted through the news media. This seminar will explore the impact of Israeli and Palestinian fatalities on the political preferences of both populations. In addition, the seminar will address other long lasting structural effects of the reigning violence on the political and social institutions of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Please note new location!

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Links to recommended readings:

http://economics.huji.ac.il/facultye/klor/voters_preferences.pdf

http://economics.huji.ac.il/facultye/klor/violence_public_opinion.pdf