Ethnic Conflict

In the modern world, ethnic sentiments are supported by

the doctrine of “national self determination”

Brownie Point Question:

Which treaty led to the emergence of
nation states?
hint: 1648, starts with a “W”
Imperialism  Arbitrary boundaries
Independence movements

After independence

EX:
In Africa self determination = only to the level of pre-existing
colonial boundaries

Within the arbitrary borders, the question = to whom the new

states belonged?
In the former colonies, especially multiethnic colonies, there
was a clamor for control

Ethnic divisions also pose challenges to the cohesion of states,

and sometimes to the peaceful relations between states

Ethnic affiliations are powerful, permeative, passionate and

pervasive
At the root of ethnic conflict is the concept of identity

Difference between
RACE ETHNICITY ?
Intersubjectivity: Agreement on a given set of meanings.
How does this relate to ethnicity?
Ethnic conflict is an economic issue:
National and Global divisions of labor

Social construction of ethnicity poses a challenge to

democracy

A post-racial era?
David Horowitz : three ways of relating ethnic conflict to the
modernization process

1. Ethnic conflict as a relic of traditionalism

2. Ethnic conflict as a stubborn impediment to modernization

3. Ethnic conflict as an integral part of the modernization

processes
Ethnicity often elicits more passionate loyalty than do
class allegiances
Conflict in multiethnic states might be diffused
when class cuts across ethnic groups

Class
A
A B
When class and ethnicity overlap: DANGER! DANGER!
Ranked

Class

B
Unranked

Class
A
A B

Unranked generally = less violent than ranked

Ethnic conflict in U.S. = both ranked and unranked.
How to diagram?
 The quest for power = a zero sum game?

Sometimes repressed ethnic groups desire to share power

Sometimes, the demand for equality  demands for priority

or exclusivity

EX: Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)

Early period of independence movement:
Sinhalese united with Tamils to demand
recognition of both languages
 As Sinhalese gained popularity  “Sinhalese only”
“Ceylon for the Sinhalese
Exclusion of Tamils
Tamil guerrillas

Power  maintain power

a few general strategies :
Violence
Expulsion
Imposed homogeneity
Another facet of the quest for power by ethnic groups:
the quest for A state by country-less people

Currently, more than 35 million people are either internally or

externally displaced (refugees)

Ethnic groups spread across two or more states:

Palestinians, Kurds
 international issue/conflict