Does higher resource inequality between ethnic groups lead to ethnic conflict? In this paper, we empirically investigate this question by constructing a new measure of inequality using rainfall on ethnic homelands during the plant-growing season. Our dataset covers the period 1982-2001 and...

We study whether the spatial distribution of natural resources across different ethnic groups within countries impede spatial inequality, national economic performance, and the incidence of armed conflict. By providing a theoretical rent-seeking model and analysing a set of geocoded data for...

In this chapter, the authors examine whether country level differences in ethnic diversity explain variations in development indicators and the progress made towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They argue that ethnic diversity could have development-enhancing or hindering effect....