Why can economic crises increase the risk of civil war?

Economic crises can increase the risk of civil war by acting as catalysts that alter the political and social landscape, often creating "political opportunity structures" that facilitate conflict.1

Researchers identify several ways these crises contribute to instability:

• Weakened State Authority: Crises often serve as signals of state weakness, which can embolden opposition groups by increasing their perceived chances of success in challenging the government.1
• Mobilization and Protest: Emergencies provide a setting for rallying public protest against the state. When governments fail to respond effectively to crises—such as through corruption or a lack of reconstruction—it generates widespread disillusionment, which insurgent groups can exploit to increase recruitment.1
• Reduced Opportunity Costs: From an economic perspective, low overall income levels make it easier to mobilize insurgencies because potential recruits have less to lose in terms of foregone income from normal economic activities.2
• Incentives for Conflict: In environments of economic instability, individuals may be more motivated to participate in violence if they believe they can prosper through looting or by gaining control of valuable natural resources.2