Structural embeddedness and intergroup conflict

Social structure affects the likelihood of group conflicts, although it has been disregarded by previous explanations. This study extends the intergro up public goods game model and integrates the influence of structural embed dedness and social incentives in the analysis of harmful group conflict. Th e integrated model explains why intergroup conflicts are often promoted by segregation and describes conditions under which this effect does not occur . The model predicts that a relationship between segregation and the likeli hood of conflict can be characterized by an S-shape function. The segregati on effect is stronger if local selective incentives are relatively importan t compared to confirmation from neighbors. Results show that under certain structural conditions, rational individuals are more likely to be trapped i n harmful conflict than less rational actors, and rigid assumptions about i ndividual rationality strengthen the effect of clustering on intergroup con flict.