Abstract

CORTES LANDAZURY, Raúl Hernando. Institutions, ethnicity and conflict: behind social cohesion and fragmentation in the Department of Cauca. Rev.econ.inst. [online]. 2024, vol.26, n.50, pp.175-202.  Epub Mar 12, 2024. ISSN 0124-5996.  https://doi.org/10.18601/01245996.v26n50.08.

When human relationships are affected by conflict, tensions between norms arise, fragmentation occurs, and social cohesion weakens. In this context, the impacts of affirmative action on ethnic fragmentation in the Department of Cauca are examined, with a particular focus on Afro-descendant and indigenous communities in the north of the region. To analyze it, a fractionation index was used that evaluates the dispersion of non-governmental organizations. The results showed an increase in fragmentation among indigenous communities; Furthermore, the number of Afro-descendant associations exceeded that of indigenous ones, with no evidence of a demonstration effect. It is concluded that the trend towards fragmentation has weakened large organizations that defend common causes, predicting conflicts both within and between different groups.

Keywords : institutions, ethnic conflicts, social cohesion, social fragmentation, affirmative action; JEL: B25, Q33, D74, Y8, L3, J14.

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