Network Competition and Civilian Targeting during Civil Conflict

Abstract Building on recent developments in the literature, this article addresses a prominent research question study of civil conflict: what explains violence against civilians? We use novel computational model to investigate strategic incentives for victimization network setting; one that incorporates civilians’ behavior. argue conflicts with high competition—where conflict between any two actors is more likely—lead higher rates civilian victimization, irrespective conflict's overall intensity or total number actors. test our theory cross-national setting using event data generate measures both and density. Empirical analysis supports model's finding systems levels competition are associated level population.