War Memories and Post-Conflict Tolerance for Inter-Ethnic Engagement

How does the activation of war memories shape social relations in post-conflict societies? While prior research highlights how collective memories influence a range of political processes and outcomes, less is known about their impact on everyday social life. This study addresses an important yet overlooked question: does the activation of war memories reduce tolerance for inter-ethnic engagement involving ordinary citizens? By conducting a survey experiment in the post-war country of Bosnia, I test whether activating these memories leads individuals to reject co-ethnics who form relationships with out-group members. Contrary to expectations, the results do not indicate that war memories diminish tolerance for inter-ethnic engagement. By offering a first step toward addressing this neglected question in the literature, this study provides valuable insights into the resilience of post-conflict social ties and opens pathways for future research on the long-term legacies of violent conflict.