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State Capacity and Demand for Identity: Evidence from Political Instability in Mali

We demonstrate that civil conflict erodes self identification with a nation state even among non rebellious ethnic groups in non conflict areas. We perform a difference in difference estimation using Afrobarometer data. Using the onset of Tuareg led insurgency in Mali caused by the demise of the Libyan leader Muammar al Gaddafi as an exogenous shock to state capacity, we find that residents living closer to the border with the conflict zone experienced a larger decrease in national identification. The effect was greater on people who were more exposed to local media. We hypothesize about the mechanism and show that civil conflict erodes national identity through the peoples` perception of a state weakness.