Can The Expansion Of Cell Phone Coverage Lead To Violent Conflict?
Nokia 1100 Rugged and efficient, this phone has been called "the AK-47 of the Cell-Phone World." Wikimedia Commons A recent study found statistically significant evidence, but there is still more research to be done. The great promise of cell phone networks is easier, cheaper, more direct communication between more people. There's no way to tell, once people have a new, easier means of coordination, the kinds of activities people will then use it for. A recent study looks at violent conflict facilitated by the spread of cell phone communication, and concludes "the availability of cell phone coverage significantly and substantially increases the probability of violent conflict." The study appears in the print edition of this month's the American Political Science Review, and it makes a bold claim. The authors, Jan H. Pierskalla of German Institute of Global and Area Studies and Florian M. Hollenbach of Duke University, narrowed their focus to conflicts and...