My Google Scholar page is available here. See also my ResearcherID and ORCID.
This research has been funded through research fellowships of the German National Academic Foundation and the
German Academic Exchange Service.
This research has been funded through research fellowships of the German National Academic Foundation and the
German Academic Exchange Service.
Publications
2017. To Claim or not to Claim? How Territorial Value Shapes Demands for Self-Determination. Comparative Political Studies 50 (7):992-1020. doi:10.1177/0010414016666837.
Abstract
The literature on nationalism and civil war provides compelling evidence that territory is highly identity-relevant and strongly associated with conflict. However, it remains unclear which territorial characteristics determine this process, and how groups demanding self-determination differ from their counterparts not seeking greater rights. I argue that groups claim self-rule if they assign symbolic relevance to their land in contrast to material or strategic value, due to the positive effect of symbolic attachments on group cohesion. I present new data on the value of territory and self-determination demands, and propose a new and comprehensive measure of symbolic territory. The findings reveal that variation in symbolic value shows a considerably stronger association with self-determination demands than material and strategic territory. This highlights new research avenues investigating the role of territorial value in subnational conflicts, as well as the systematic differences in conflict behavior between groups demanding self-rule and non-disputants.
Replication Data | Code (Stata & R)
2017. Selbstbestimmung und Gewalt: Zur Rolle von Territorialität in subnationalen Selbstbestimmungskonflikten. Zeitschrift für Politikwissenschaft, 27(4): 509-527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41358-017-0114-z.
(“Self-Determination and Violence: On the Role of Territoriality in Subnational Demands for Self-Determination“)
Abstract
Substaatliche Konflikte über Selbstbestimmung sind in den vergangenen Jahren zunehmend in den Fokus der Konfliktforschung gerückt. Dieser Literaturbericht untersucht die Bedeutung territorialen Wertes für die Erklärung der Ursachen und der Wahl von Konfliktstrategien in Selbstbestimmungsforderungen. Die Unterscheidung symbolischen, strategischen und materiellen territorialen Wertes leistet einen wesentlichen Beitrag für die Erklärung des Auftretens und der Eskalation dieser Forderungen. Der Literaturbericht offenbart Ansatzpunkte für die differenzierte Definition von Konflikt, die Untersuchung gewaltloser Selbstbestimmungsforderungen und beschränkt gewalttätiger Konflikte, sowie bezüglich einer vertieften Analyse der dargestellten Zusammenhänge.
Abstract
The literature on nationalism and civil war provides compelling evidence that territory is highly identity-relevant and strongly associated with conflict. However, it remains unclear which territorial characteristics determine this process, and how groups demanding self-determination differ from their counterparts not seeking greater rights. I argue that groups claim self-rule if they assign symbolic relevance to their land in contrast to material or strategic value, due to the positive effect of symbolic attachments on group cohesion. I present new data on the value of territory and self-determination demands, and propose a new and comprehensive measure of symbolic territory. The findings reveal that variation in symbolic value shows a considerably stronger association with self-determination demands than material and strategic territory. This highlights new research avenues investigating the role of territorial value in subnational conflicts, as well as the systematic differences in conflict behavior between groups demanding self-rule and non-disputants.
Replication Data | Code (Stata & R)
2017. Selbstbestimmung und Gewalt: Zur Rolle von Territorialität in subnationalen Selbstbestimmungskonflikten. Zeitschrift für Politikwissenschaft, 27(4): 509-527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41358-017-0114-z.
(“Self-Determination and Violence: On the Role of Territoriality in Subnational Demands for Self-Determination“)
Abstract
Substaatliche Konflikte über Selbstbestimmung sind in den vergangenen Jahren zunehmend in den Fokus der Konfliktforschung gerückt. Dieser Literaturbericht untersucht die Bedeutung territorialen Wertes für die Erklärung der Ursachen und der Wahl von Konfliktstrategien in Selbstbestimmungsforderungen. Die Unterscheidung symbolischen, strategischen und materiellen territorialen Wertes leistet einen wesentlichen Beitrag für die Erklärung des Auftretens und der Eskalation dieser Forderungen. Der Literaturbericht offenbart Ansatzpunkte für die differenzierte Definition von Konflikt, die Untersuchung gewaltloser Selbstbestimmungsforderungen und beschränkt gewalttätiger Konflikte, sowie bezüglich einer vertieften Analyse der dargestellten Zusammenhänge.
Work in Progress
Change We Can Believe In: On the Role of Religion in Demands for Self-Determination
(under review)
Abstract
Religious conflicts are an enduring feature of national and international politics. However, we know very little about the salience of religion in demands for self-rule. I offer the first systematic treatment of religion in self-determination demands on a global scale, focusing on the incidence of claims for self-rule. I argue that mobilization advantages from religious identities and attachments to sacred land foster claim-making by providing motivation and opportunity for collective action. I present data on groups demanding self-rule and groups not making any claim in a case control design for 2005, including information on religious identification and sacred land. Logit estimations support the expectations, identifying a strong positive association with sacred land, and, to a lesser degree, religious identities. The findings shed light on the understudied relation between religion and self-determination conflicts which translates into the broader set of subnational conflicts.
The Force Awakens? Territory and Violence in Subnational Conflicts over Self-Determination
(under review)
Abstract
The quest for self-determination lies at the heart of a large share of conflicts worldwide. While territorial characteristics such as resource wealth or terrain ruggedness are found to affect violent rebellion, it is unclear whether the findings travel to other types of strategies or conflicts. How can we account for conventional and less violent strategies, in particular of communities demanding self-determination? I propose a theory of strategy choice in conflicts over self-rule that emphasizes the role of the contested territory. Distinguishing between symbolic, strategic and material territorial value, I argue for the joint consideration of territorial incentives and group and state-level conditions to evaluate the sources of conflict strategies in demands for self-rule. I present new data on strategy choice in self-determination demands worldwide between 2005 and 2015. Using multinomial logit estimations, I find that symbolic territory is the most important territorial correlate of strategy choice, along with different group level characteristics. The findings offer important insights into the relevance of territory for understanding the sources of strategies, which have implications for the broader set of subnational conflicts.
Securing a State: Traditional Authorities and Strategy Choice in Demands for Self-Determination
with Clara Neupert-Wentz
Abstract
Groups employ different strategies to pursue demands of self-determination: while some act within existing channels of political contestation, others choose nonconventional strategies, including violence and rebellion. We examine the role of traditional authority for strategy choice. Traditionally governed groups are subnational communities that are organized through customary political systems. We argue that in the dyadic process of self-determination negotiations, strategy choice is conditional on the institutions of the group and the state. While traditional authorities can successfully bargain and commit through their institutions within conventional channels, the prospect of success is conditioned by access to political decision making. If credible commitment is not met with reciprocity, i.e., when the state is autocratic and not willing or able to commit, traditional authorities use their capacity to mobilize for strategies outside conventional political channels, such as protest or rebellion. We use new global data on groups that demand self-determination, their traditional political institutions, and strategy choice from 2005 to 2015. Employing multilevel logistic regression analysis and multinomial logit models, we find support for our argument. The increased likelihood of nonconventional strategies of traditional authorities is moderated by the type of political opponent. Our findings advance new perspectives on the interactions of local and national political systems in the context of subnational conflict.
Looking Back to See the Future: How Traditional Institutions foster Self-Determination Demands
with Clara Neupert-Wentz
Abstract
Traditional institutions have been found to affect a variety of societal processes, including intra-state conflicts, development outcomes, and electoral processes. Providing a means of social organization, we posit, these institutions interact with group behavior towards the state. How do traditional domestic political arrangements affect groups’ incentives to demand greater self-determination? We argue that functioning subnational traditional institutions increase societal groups’ capacity to self-govern, fostering mobilization for autonomy or independence claims. We present original data on socially relevant groups and their traditional political organization on a global scale. We compare the characteristics of claiming groups and those not contesting the government’s sovereignty over the group territory in a case control design. The results of logistic regression estimations show that groups adhering to their own set of traditional institutions are more likely to demand self-determination. The findings shed new light on the relevance of existing institutions of domestic organization for the incidence of demands for greater self-rule in a comparative setting.
Affording Independence? Economic Crises and Support for Regionalist and Separatist Parties in Europe
Abstract
European regions are seeing significant levels of support for increased autonomy and independence. While we observe effects of economic downturns on vote share for regionalist and separatist parties in Europe before and after the recent economic crisis, I argue that the focus on electoral outcomes established in the literature sheds light only on part of the picture. My argument is that widening economic inequality between regions and states in the wake of economic crises is reflected in the language parties use to communicate their regionalist or separatist agenda. I commence the analysis by assessing voter support in a European sample of regions that are represented by regionalist or separatist parties in national and regional assemblies in the early 2000s. In the second step, I investigate how economic downturns are reflected in parties’ framing of demands for regionalism or independence in Spain and the UK using data from the Regional Manifestos Project. Using text analysis approaches, I find that references to the economic conditions are indeed significantly related to the framing of demands. The findings shed new light on how economic downturns affect party systems, and more specifically parties with regionalist and separatist agendas.
Watch Your Words: Territorial Framing in Mobilization for Self-Determination
Abstract
Territory has been found to affect the incidence of self-determination demands as well as the degree of violence involved. However, the understanding of the underlying mobilization process is limited. I argue that the communication strategies applied in demands for self-rule determine the probability of their success. My theory suggests that public framing of demands for self-determination in reference to symbolic territorial value increases the credibility and perceived legitimacy of the claims by referencing this focal point and thereby fostering mobilization. I use data on self-determination groups worldwide and their territorial value endowment, and show that symbolic territory is strongly related to small scale self-determination violence. I test the findings using case study evidence on the Corsicans and Basques in France, which confirms the relevance of symbolic territory as a collective action frame.
Symbols and Support: Territorial Value and the Success of Self-Determination Demands
Abstract
Self-determination groups rarely reach their initial goals of self-rule. I argue that the value attached to the disputed land lies at the heart of demand success. My argument is that symbolic territorial value is critical in increasing claimant’s mobilization potential and bargaining leverage, while governments have incentives to avoid escalating the claim into a costly domestic conflict. I present my new comparative data of demand success and symbolic territorial value on a global scale from 2005 to 2015. Estimating logistic regression models I uncover inconclusive findings regarding the role symbolic features in the accommodation of demands for self-determination. I conclude by discussing ways to move forward.
(under review)
Abstract
Religious conflicts are an enduring feature of national and international politics. However, we know very little about the salience of religion in demands for self-rule. I offer the first systematic treatment of religion in self-determination demands on a global scale, focusing on the incidence of claims for self-rule. I argue that mobilization advantages from religious identities and attachments to sacred land foster claim-making by providing motivation and opportunity for collective action. I present data on groups demanding self-rule and groups not making any claim in a case control design for 2005, including information on religious identification and sacred land. Logit estimations support the expectations, identifying a strong positive association with sacred land, and, to a lesser degree, religious identities. The findings shed light on the understudied relation between religion and self-determination conflicts which translates into the broader set of subnational conflicts.
The Force Awakens? Territory and Violence in Subnational Conflicts over Self-Determination
(under review)
Abstract
The quest for self-determination lies at the heart of a large share of conflicts worldwide. While territorial characteristics such as resource wealth or terrain ruggedness are found to affect violent rebellion, it is unclear whether the findings travel to other types of strategies or conflicts. How can we account for conventional and less violent strategies, in particular of communities demanding self-determination? I propose a theory of strategy choice in conflicts over self-rule that emphasizes the role of the contested territory. Distinguishing between symbolic, strategic and material territorial value, I argue for the joint consideration of territorial incentives and group and state-level conditions to evaluate the sources of conflict strategies in demands for self-rule. I present new data on strategy choice in self-determination demands worldwide between 2005 and 2015. Using multinomial logit estimations, I find that symbolic territory is the most important territorial correlate of strategy choice, along with different group level characteristics. The findings offer important insights into the relevance of territory for understanding the sources of strategies, which have implications for the broader set of subnational conflicts.
Securing a State: Traditional Authorities and Strategy Choice in Demands for Self-Determination
with Clara Neupert-Wentz
Abstract
Groups employ different strategies to pursue demands of self-determination: while some act within existing channels of political contestation, others choose nonconventional strategies, including violence and rebellion. We examine the role of traditional authority for strategy choice. Traditionally governed groups are subnational communities that are organized through customary political systems. We argue that in the dyadic process of self-determination negotiations, strategy choice is conditional on the institutions of the group and the state. While traditional authorities can successfully bargain and commit through their institutions within conventional channels, the prospect of success is conditioned by access to political decision making. If credible commitment is not met with reciprocity, i.e., when the state is autocratic and not willing or able to commit, traditional authorities use their capacity to mobilize for strategies outside conventional political channels, such as protest or rebellion. We use new global data on groups that demand self-determination, their traditional political institutions, and strategy choice from 2005 to 2015. Employing multilevel logistic regression analysis and multinomial logit models, we find support for our argument. The increased likelihood of nonconventional strategies of traditional authorities is moderated by the type of political opponent. Our findings advance new perspectives on the interactions of local and national political systems in the context of subnational conflict.
Looking Back to See the Future: How Traditional Institutions foster Self-Determination Demands
with Clara Neupert-Wentz
Abstract
Traditional institutions have been found to affect a variety of societal processes, including intra-state conflicts, development outcomes, and electoral processes. Providing a means of social organization, we posit, these institutions interact with group behavior towards the state. How do traditional domestic political arrangements affect groups’ incentives to demand greater self-determination? We argue that functioning subnational traditional institutions increase societal groups’ capacity to self-govern, fostering mobilization for autonomy or independence claims. We present original data on socially relevant groups and their traditional political organization on a global scale. We compare the characteristics of claiming groups and those not contesting the government’s sovereignty over the group territory in a case control design. The results of logistic regression estimations show that groups adhering to their own set of traditional institutions are more likely to demand self-determination. The findings shed new light on the relevance of existing institutions of domestic organization for the incidence of demands for greater self-rule in a comparative setting.
Affording Independence? Economic Crises and Support for Regionalist and Separatist Parties in Europe
Abstract
European regions are seeing significant levels of support for increased autonomy and independence. While we observe effects of economic downturns on vote share for regionalist and separatist parties in Europe before and after the recent economic crisis, I argue that the focus on electoral outcomes established in the literature sheds light only on part of the picture. My argument is that widening economic inequality between regions and states in the wake of economic crises is reflected in the language parties use to communicate their regionalist or separatist agenda. I commence the analysis by assessing voter support in a European sample of regions that are represented by regionalist or separatist parties in national and regional assemblies in the early 2000s. In the second step, I investigate how economic downturns are reflected in parties’ framing of demands for regionalism or independence in Spain and the UK using data from the Regional Manifestos Project. Using text analysis approaches, I find that references to the economic conditions are indeed significantly related to the framing of demands. The findings shed new light on how economic downturns affect party systems, and more specifically parties with regionalist and separatist agendas.
Watch Your Words: Territorial Framing in Mobilization for Self-Determination
Abstract
Territory has been found to affect the incidence of self-determination demands as well as the degree of violence involved. However, the understanding of the underlying mobilization process is limited. I argue that the communication strategies applied in demands for self-rule determine the probability of their success. My theory suggests that public framing of demands for self-determination in reference to symbolic territorial value increases the credibility and perceived legitimacy of the claims by referencing this focal point and thereby fostering mobilization. I use data on self-determination groups worldwide and their territorial value endowment, and show that symbolic territory is strongly related to small scale self-determination violence. I test the findings using case study evidence on the Corsicans and Basques in France, which confirms the relevance of symbolic territory as a collective action frame.
Symbols and Support: Territorial Value and the Success of Self-Determination Demands
Abstract
Self-determination groups rarely reach their initial goals of self-rule. I argue that the value attached to the disputed land lies at the heart of demand success. My argument is that symbolic territorial value is critical in increasing claimant’s mobilization potential and bargaining leverage, while governments have incentives to avoid escalating the claim into a costly domestic conflict. I present my new comparative data of demand success and symbolic territorial value on a global scale from 2005 to 2015. Estimating logistic regression models I uncover inconclusive findings regarding the role symbolic features in the accommodation of demands for self-determination. I conclude by discussing ways to move forward.
Please email me if you are interested in reading any of the working papers.