Liberal Refugee Policies and Political Violence

• In Event: Refugees, Violence, and Integration

Abstract

Recent research suggests that liberal displacement policies may aggravate nativist backlash against migrants, worsening conflict in host communities. Yet, liberal policies may also magnify the positive economic externalities of refugee-hosting, with ameliorative effects on conflict. We examine the relationship between forced displacement policies and violence in refugee-hosting areas. Using fine-grained data on de jure displacement policies and subnational violence in a triple-difference framework, we document a robust negative effect of policy liberality on violence in refugee-hosting communities. Our analysis of disaggregated policy domains reveals that this conflict-mitigating effect is especially large for policies on access, social services, and free movement. Presenting new evidence on the allocation of aid to refugee-hosting areas, we argue that liberal refugee policies undercut the risks of conflict associated with refugee-hosting by promoting local development. Our findings counter populist narratives that view refugees as security threats and advocate restricting their rights: liberal refugee policies enhance security in host countries and communities.

Authors

• Christopher William Blair, Princeton University

• Lamis Abdelaaty, Syracuse University

• Burcu Savun, University of Pittsburgh

• Thomas Ginn, Center for Global Development