Inequality, elections, and communal riots in India

How does inequality within and between ethno-religious groups influence the likelihood frequency of communal riots? Using evidence from India, this article finds that low within-group high between-group dampens riots. Theoretically, suggests instrumental logic, which posits ethnonationalist politicians use violence to stoke ethnic cleavages mobilize support, best accounts for finding. We argue be politically competitive, need their supporters identify foremost with identity. When is and/or low, citizens are less likely focus on ethnicity as primary In such contexts, may riots improve electoral prospects by reinforcing salience ethnicity. Empirically, relies a time-series cross-district analysis Hindu–Muslim in India test argument against theoretical alternatives. To illustrate causal also uses riot occurred Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Analyzing three aspects – background conditions, timing, targets propaganda we evaluate different predictions argument. The concludes suggestion distinct cases mass civil wars, genocide, cleansing could conceptualized, along other types small-scale political violence, separate class events own internal logic.