Does Democracy Resolve Conflicts? Voting, Fighting, and Bargaining

• In Event: Modeling Institutions

Abstract

Democracy is often viewed as an effective instrument of conflict resolution. I show that the arguments that support this expectation are founded on a false dichotomy between voting and fighting, which omits the option to settle conflicts by bargaining. A self-enforcing democratic method of conflict resolution cannot improve what can be achieved through bargaining. Either the conflict resolution through voting is reproducible through bargaining or, when it is not, the conflicting parties would prefer to bargain rather than hold elections. Unless the notion of democracy as a replacement of governments through elections is stretched to the verge of tautology and includes bargaining and compromise as constitutive elements, the theoretical basis for linking civil peace with democracy is tenuous.

Author

• Arturas Rozenas, New York University