The interrelationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and conflict behavior: a survey

We review the literature in economics and related fields on the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and conflict behavior. Our survey covers the effects of the pandemic on individual-level conflict, group-level conflict, and the impact of existing conflict on the spread of the pandemic. We found an increase in intimate partner violence and a spillover between work-family conflict and domestic violence. Additionally, there was a spike in anti-East-Asian hate crimes. While the group-level conflict counts initially dropped, those eventually returned to pre-pandemic levels. The deteriorating economy and food insecurity associated with the pandemic were major drivers of conflict in developing countries, but appropriate state stimulus reduced such conflicts. The existing history of conflict had a heterogeneous effect on the spread of the pandemic in different societies. We conclude by highlighting future research avenues.