Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP4571
Authors: Jorge Restrepo; Michael Spagat; Juan F. Vargas
Abstract: We compare the treatment of Colombia in large cross-country conflict datasets with the information of the detailed micro dataset of Restrepo, Spagat and Vargas (2003). We find a general tendency of the big datasets to underestimate the magnitude of the Colombian conflict and to mischaracterize its dynamics. We suggest that conflict researchers should prioritize the construction of more micro datasets that will facilitate detailed studies of conflict intensity and its dynamics.
Keywords: Colombia; Conflict; Cross-Country Datasets
JEL Codes: C80; D74
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Cross-country datasets (C55) | Underestimate magnitude of Colombian conflict (F51) |
| Differences in definitions and methodologies (C80) | Underestimate magnitude of Colombian conflict (F51) |
| Cross-country datasets (C55) | Estimated conflict intensity as measured by RSV (D74) |
| RSV (Y60) | Estimated conflict intensity (D74) |