Joseph J. Ruggiero

Thematic seminars
big data and econometrics seminar

Joseph J. Ruggiero

Princeton University
What makes a World War? Economic networks and distributions of power
Venue

IBD Salle 17

Îlot Bernard du Bois - Salle 17

AMU - AMSE
5-9 boulevard Maurice Bourdet
13001 Marseille

Date(s)
Tuesday, May 30 2023| 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Contact(s)

Michel Lubrano: michel.lubrano[at]univ-amu.fr
Pierre Michel: pierre.michel[at]univ-amu.fr

Abstract

Why do some conflicts escalate to global war while others stay contained? I provide a formal model of conflict that considers an international system of many countries located on an economic network. Countries may attack an adversary of their choosing and, if a war breaks out, the remaining countries choose whether to join the fight. I demonstrate how the distribution of power and globalization can interact to affect the expected size of conflicts in a number of ways, motivating quantitative analysis. Connecting the theoretical model to data on international disputes, I estimate deep structural parameters governing country preferences, including the underlying economic network. Lastly, I perform counterfactual analysis on World War I combatants facing a decision to join the war between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, finding that changing power and economic relations of the 20th century make the Allies more likely to fight but the Central Powers less likely.