
Violence Exposure and Ethnic Identification: Evidence from Kashmir
Nicholas Sambanis (Professor from MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, Yale University) and Gautam Nair (Assistant Professor from MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, Yale University)
This research investigates how exposure to violence influences the way minority populations in conflict zones identify with their nation, ethnic group, or neighboring countries. Focusing on the Kashmir Valley—a region with a long-standing separatist and irredentist conflict—the study uses a novel randomized experiment that showed survey participants real footage of violent events.
The study finds that state-led violence increases psychological distance from the Indian nation and reduces national identification, especially among individuals who would otherwise be more inclined to identify with the state. Conversely, a strong regional identity serves as a buffer against irredentism (the desire to unify with a neighboring country).
Efforts to promote national identity through economic development or information about integration are found to be ineffective in contexts where psychological alienation from the state is already high.
Key Takeaways:
- Violent repression erodes national identity and pushes people toward ethnic or external affiliations.
- Regional pride can mitigate separatist tendencies.
- Economic incentives and institutional narratives are insufficient to overcome deep psychological divides.
Acknowledgments:
This study was supported by:
- Yale University’s MacMillan Center
- South Asia Studies Council
- Georg Walter Leitner Program in Political Economy
Special thanks to Kashmir University and Morsel Pvt. Ltd. for fieldwork assistance.
IRB Approval: Yale Human Subjects Protocol #1507016145
Location: Kashmir