ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that difference in groups' economic, political, or social circumstances—horizontal inequalities—are strong contributing factors to civil war. It analyzes the causes of conflict, contending that they are a function of the interaction among structural conditions, including large relative differences among groups, or horizontal inequality; means, including political leadership, to mobilize the group as well as opportunities for finance; and triggers, including land pressures, changes in aid flows, and political realignments. By focusing on the differences between horizontal and vertical inequality, the chapter suggests that horizontal and vertical inequality do not necessarily go hand in hand and that intragroup equality may promote intergroup conflict, all other things being equal. It describes some of the problems in measuring horizontal inequality. Groups that initiate conflict tend to think that non-conflict will lead to welfare outcomes worse what they could expect from conflict.
