In 2008, Collier, Hoeffler, and Rohner analyzed a global dataset of civil wars from 1965 to 2004 to examine the factors contributing to civil war risk. They found that variables closely related to feasibility—such as economic and military resources—had a significant impact on the likelihood of civil war, supporting the "feasibility hypothesis," which suggests that civil wars occur when rebellion is feasible, regardless of motivation. The study compared their findings with previous research and found that three new variables were significant: the proportion of young men (15-29 years), the proportion of mountainous terrain, and being a former French colony. These variables helped distinguish between feasibility and motivation. The study also highlighted the importance of economic development, growth, and natural resources in reducing civil war risk. The results showed that countries with higher income, growth, and less ethnic fractionalization had lower civil war risks. The study also found that former French colonies had significantly lower civil war risks, possibly due to French security guarantees. The study emphasized the need for policies that promote economic development and reduce the risk of conflict. The findings suggest that civil wars are more likely to occur in countries with limited resources, poor economic growth, and high levels of ethnic fractionalization. The study also found that the risk of civil war was higher in countries with a large proportion of young men and mountainous terrain. The study concluded that economic development and reducing ethnic fractionalization are key to preventing civil war. The results were robust across various data and model specifications, indicating that the feasibility hypothesis is a strong explanation for civil war risk.In 2008, Collier, Hoeffler, and Rohner analyzed a global dataset of civil wars from 1965 to 2004 to examine the factors contributing to civil war risk. They found that variables closely related to feasibility—such as economic and military resources—had a significant impact on the likelihood of civil war, supporting the "feasibility hypothesis," which suggests that civil wars occur when rebellion is feasible, regardless of motivation. The study compared their findings with previous research and found that three new variables were significant: the proportion of young men (15-29 years), the proportion of mountainous terrain, and being a former French colony. These variables helped distinguish between feasibility and motivation. The study also highlighted the importance of economic development, growth, and natural resources in reducing civil war risk. The results showed that countries with higher income, growth, and less ethnic fractionalization had lower civil war risks. The study also found that former French colonies had significantly lower civil war risks, possibly due to French security guarantees. The study emphasized the need for policies that promote economic development and reduce the risk of conflict. The findings suggest that civil wars are more likely to occur in countries with limited resources, poor economic growth, and high levels of ethnic fractionalization. The study also found that the risk of civil war was higher in countries with a large proportion of young men and mountainous terrain. The study concluded that economic development and reducing ethnic fractionalization are key to preventing civil war. The results were robust across various data and model specifications, indicating that the feasibility hypothesis is a strong explanation for civil war risk.