Love, G., primary investigator
RAPID: Collaborative: The Legitimacy of Negotiated Peace: Social Preferences, Victimhood, and the Colombian Peace Process
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $31,857.00
To end protracted conflicts within their borders, states often choose to negotiate for peace. But if such agreements lack public support they risk a return to violence. What kinds of peace deals do citizens find legitimate and what drives these attitudes? This project develops a theory of public opinion formation toward negotiated peace solutions grounded in the interplay of pro-social preferences – concern for others’ well-being and desire to uphold pro-social norms – and the nature of victimhood. The theory is tested by analyzing the linkages between popular legitimacy of potential outcomes of ongoing peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC guerillas.