The Stability Threshold and Two Facets of Polarization

CORE Discussion Paper No. 2005/35

21 Pages Posted: 9 Aug 2005

See all articles by Ori Haimanko

Ori Haimanko

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev - Department of Economics; Yale University - Cowles Foundation

Michel Le Breton

University of Toulouse I - GREMAQ-IDEI

Shlomo Weber

Southern Methodist University (SMU) - Department of Economics; New Economic School

Date Written: May 2005

Abstract

In this paper we introduce the stability threshold that quantifies the minimal returns to size sufficient to prevent credible secession threats by regions of the country. Severity of internal tension has been linked to degree of polarization of citizens' preferences and characteristics. We show that the increasing degree of polarization does not, in general, raise the stability threshold, even though this hypothesis holds in some asymptotic sense. We also examine the question of the number of smaller countries to be created if the unity of the large country is not sustainable, and investigate the link between this number and the degree of the country polarization.

Keywords: Polarization, secession, stability threshold, clusters

JEL Classification: H20, D70, D73

Suggested Citation

Haimanko, Ori and Le Breton, Michel and Weber, Shlomo, The Stability Threshold and Two Facets of Polarization (May 2005). CORE Discussion Paper No. 2005/35, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=771404 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.771404

Ori Haimanko

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev - Department of Economics ( email )

Beer-Sheva 84105
Israel

Yale University - Cowles Foundation ( email )

Box 208281
New Haven, CT 06520-8281
United States

Michel Le Breton (Contact Author)

University of Toulouse I - GREMAQ-IDEI ( email )

Manufacture des Tabacs
21 Allees de Brienne
Toulouse, 31000
France

Shlomo Weber

Southern Methodist University (SMU) - Department of Economics ( email )

Dallas, TX 75275
United States
214-768-3577 (Phone)
214-768-1821 (Fax)

New Economic School ( email )

Moscow
Russia
+ 7-495-9569508 (Phone)

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