Ethnic Conflict
Globalization can weaken ethnic identities and spread ethnic conflicts between areas. The end of the Cold War also increased attention on ethnic conflicts that had previously been contained by the superpowers. There are many potential causes of ethnic conflict, including ancient hatreds, political issues, competition for resources, weak institutions, and proliferation of weapons. Ethnic conflicts have huge costs, including thousands of deaths, millions of refugees, economic damage, hindering democratization, and environmental destruction. Major ethnic conflicts have occurred in Africa, such as in Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Liberia, and in Asia, such as in India, Sri Lanka, China, and Tibet. Potential resolutions include meeting ethnic group needs through economic development, power-
Ethnic Conflict
- 1. Ethnic ConflictSeptember 21, 2010PS 212
- 2. Globalization and Ethnic ConflictGlobalization allows problems from one area to spill over into another area.Can weaken ethnic identities (exposed to different ideas, behavior, material goods.Economic globalization can give ethnic groups with an education advantage over another group.
- 3. Ethnic Conflict and End of Cold WarIncreased attentions since end of Cold WarMany conflicts developed independently of the East-West rivalry but were held in check by superpowersExtremely difficult to contain to one countryEthnic diversity does not automatically result in violence or conflict.
- 4. Ethnicity and Ethnic IdentityEthnicity, tribalism, and nationalism often used interchangeably.Tribalism (outdated term).Preferred term for groups is Ethnic Group (How to determine?)Identity: conception of the self ; social attributes of particular individuals shaped by many social, cultural, economic and political factorsEthnic pluralism
- 6. Causes of Ethnic ConflictAncient Hatreds?Rarely about just ethnicityPolitical undertonesStereotypes: US vs THEMCompetition for resourcesModernization?Weak political institutionsDemocratizationProliferation of automatic weapons
- 7. Costs of Ethnic ConflictPoor get poorerThousands or Millions of DeathsLand Mines (1 death every 22 minutes)Economic CostsCannot DemocratizeRefugees and spillover effectEnvironmental DestructionWorsened Drug Problems
- 8. Ethnic Conflicts in AfricaContinent most consumed by ethnic conflict.
- 9. Ethnic Conflict in AfricaNigeriaWhy so much violence?BiafraIslamic LawLiberiaAmerico-LiberiansCycle of ViolenceThe SudanWhat’s the Problem?What’s being done?RwandaTutsi vs. HutusEuropean InfluenceTurn around fair play?
- 10. Ethnic Conflicts in AsiaIndiaReligious differencesPartition: Ali Jinnah (Muslim League/Pakistan)Jawaharlal Nehru (Secular India)Sikhs and Golden TempleAssassination of Indira GandhiMurders and Rapes of Christians
- 12. ChinaChinaThe Xinjiang Province and the Uighur SeparatistsUighurs are Muslim, territorybecame part of China in 1949Han-93% of PopulationTibetSuppression of Religion.Migration of Han ChineseLoss of Culture1 million deaths
- 13. Sri LankaSri LankaComplex societyColonial influenceSinhala govt. declared Sinhala the language and Buddhism the religion.Denied Tamils jobs & Education1983 Targeting of TamilsChandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga peace deal (fell through)EU listed LTTE as terrorist org. in 2006May 2009 End of Civil War
- 14. Resolving Ethnic ConflictsMost groups have needs met as country develops economicallyDemocratic societies offer groups a chance to form coalitionsDisparities brought about by economic growth may fuel ethnic conflicts. Redraw borders?Power-Sharing arrangementsFederalism.