ABC’s, 123’s, and the golden rule: The pacifying effect of education on civil war

This study examines two ways by which education might affect the probability of civil war onset. First, educational investment provides a strong signal to the people that the government is attempting to im-prove their lives, which is apt to lower grievances, even in desperate times. Second, education can generate economic, political, and social stability by giving people tools with which they can resolve disputes peacefully, making them less likely to incur the risks involved in joining a rebellion. This theory is tested by examining the effect of educational expenditures, enrollment levels, and literacy rates on the probability of civil war onset from 1980 through 1999. The results provide evidence for both the grievance and stability arguments, providing strong sup-port for the pacifying effects of education on civil war. Conflict scholars have been increasingly interested in improving our understanding of civil war. This attention is not surprising, given the devastating economic and social consequences of these conflicts. On the economic side, a large literatur