Measuring perceptions of postconflict actors’ economic behavior: The case of Colombia.

Abstract

Exposure to violence has lasting effects on economic behavior years after it has ended. Previous literature has proved that there is an increase in altruism, impatience, and risk-seeking. However, it is unknown if regular citizens, not directly involved in the conflict, perceive such economic behavior in postconflict actors. We asked participants to report, relative to them, how Colombia’s postconflict actors (ex-guerrillas, ex-paramilitaries, and victims) behave in different economic games (dictator game, lotteries, and intertemporal discounting). Our sample of university students believes that victims are less altruistic than current evidence with real victims, not particularly risky, and impatient. Also, that former combatants are risk-seeking, impatient, and altruistic toward victims. These beliefs about postconflict actors’ economic behavior do not consistently coincide with behavioral changes found in actual actors involved in violence and could guide reintegration policies.