Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that refugee presence makes host states more likely to experience conflicts. Although some refugees migrate with arms, combatants, and ideologies conducive to conflict, the vast majority almost never engage in violence. Their presence; however, impacts the economy and alters previously established social contracts, consequently making local groups more likely to engage in violence. The impact of a refugee population on a host economy; however, is conditional. While the factors that make refugees an asset in one country and a burden in another have a significant impact on the spread of conflict, they still remain undiscovered in the literature. I argue that domestic policies that inhibit refugee economic integration, through restricting freedom of movement and ability to sustain a livelihood, have a negative impact on the economy and make a host community more likely to engage in violent conflicts. To examine the relationship between policies related movement and employment on conflict spillover, I conduct a large N statistical analysis using data that covers 198 instances between 2005 and 2009. I find that freedom of movement is a significant factor in the relationship.

Advisor

Matthew Krain

Department

International Relations

Publication Date

2016

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis Exemplar

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© Copyright 2016 Mohammad Sarhan