@article{167b1dee7d0b437bb0d0659f854a945d,
title = "Preventing Islamic radicalization: Experimental evidence on anti-social behavior",
abstract = "Social tensions and violence induced by radicalized Muslims afflict many parts of the world. We collaborated with the main Islamic authority in Mozambique, which sponsored two randomized interventions to prevent violence related to youth radicalization: a religious campaign against extremist views of Islam, targeting change in beliefs; and a training module on entrepreneurship and employment, aiming to increase the opportunity cost of conflict. Our measurement focuses on anti-social behavior in a Joy-of-destruction lab game. We find that only the religious treatment decreased the propensity to destroy the payoffs of others. Consistently, surveys show increased trust in the state and decreased support for extremism. We conclude that religious sensitization is likely to be cost-effective in preventing Islamic radicalization and anti-social behavior.",
keywords = "Africa, Conflict, Field experiment, Islamic radicalization, Joy-of-destruction game, Mozambique, Political economy, Violence",
author = "Vicente, {Pedro C.} and In{\^e}s Vilela",
note = "Funding Information: We wish to thank Imamo Mussa and L?cio Ra?l, whose dedication, persistence, and courage have made possible the implementation of this project on the ground. We are grateful to the editor and two anonymous referees, as well as to Marijke Verpoorten and conference/seminar participants at IGC, NES, NOVAFRICA, and UNU-WIDER/UEM for useful comments. The Mozambique team of the International Growth center, in particular Alberto da Cruz, provided invaluable institutional support. We are particularly grateful to Conselho Isl?mico de Mo?ambique (CISLAMO) for a fruitful collaboration, specifically Sheikh Abdul Carimo and Nze Assuate. Pinto Polini, from the Provincial Government of Cabo Delgado, Alberto Sab?o from the Protestant Church of Pemba, and Denise Wright at the University of Notre Dame, also provided institutional support. Finally, we would like to extend an appreciative word to the group of enumerators with whom we worked. IRB approvals were secured from Universidade Nova de Lisboa and the University of Notre Dame (Protocol #18?02?4454). A pre-analysis plan for this study is available at the AEA Registry (AEARCTR-0003775). We wish to acknowledge financial support from the International Growth center. Vicente also acknowledges support by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame. All errors are our responsibility. Funding Information: We wish to thank Imamo Mussa and L{\'u}cio Ra{\'u}l, whose dedication, persistence, and courage have made possible the implementation of this project on the ground. We are grateful to the editor and two anonymous referees, as well as to Marijke Verpoorten and conference/seminar participants at IGC, NES, NOVAFRICA, and UNU-WIDER/UEM for useful comments. The Mozambique team of the International Growth center, in particular Alberto da Cruz, provided invaluable institutional support. We are particularly grateful to Conselho Isl{\^a}mico de Mo{\c c}ambique (CISLAMO) for a fruitful collaboration, specifically Sheikh Abdul Carimo and Nze Assuate. Pinto Polini, from the Provincial Government of Cabo Delgado, Alberto Sab{\~a}o from the Protestant Church of Pemba, and Denise Wright at the University of Notre Dame, also provided institutional support. Finally, we would like to extend an appreciative word to the group of enumerators with whom we worked. IRB approvals were secured from Universidade Nova de Lisboa and the University of Notre Dame (Protocol #18–02–4454). A pre-analysis plan for this study is available at the AEA Registry (AEARCTR-0003775). We wish to acknowledge financial support from the International Growth center. Vicente also acknowledges support by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame. All errors are our responsibility. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Association for Comparative Economic Studies",
year = "2022",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1016/j.jce.2021.11.001",
language = "English",
volume = "50",
pages = "474--485",
journal = "Journal Of Comparative Economics",
issn = "0147-5967",
publisher = "Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam.",
number = "2",
}
