Assimilation, Criminality and Ethnic Conflict

Indraneel Dasgupta () and Diganta Mukherjee ()
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Diganta Mukherjee: Indian Statistical Institute

No 7924, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: We examine the consequences, of integrating large minorities into productivity-relevant majority ethno-linguistic norms, for distribution, ethnic conflict and crime. We develop a two-community model where such assimilation generates social gains by: (a) facilitating economic interaction, and (b) dampening religious or racial conflict over symbolic and normative contents of the public sphere. However, integration shifts the distribution of both material and symbolic goods against the minority. It also expands income inequality within the minority community. This incentivizes decentralized attempts to expropriate producers which, through cumulative causation, both immiserize and criminalize the minority. An underclass thus results, with disproportionate minority presence.

Keywords: minority; identity; language; assimilation; discrimination; ethnic conflict; crime; welfare dependency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D74 J15 J71 O15 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 pages
Date: 2014-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem
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