The Causes and Solutions to Ethnic Conflicts - 1733 Words

The Causes and Solutions to Ethnic Conflicts Scholars of International Security have been trying to develop a theoretical approach to explain the causes of ethnic conflict for a long time. These studies have led to contentious debates but have also probed so deeply that their findings help shed new light on these issues, providing better understanding and possible solutions. Ethnic groups are defined as a community of people who share cultural and linguistic characteristics including religion, language, history, tradition, myth, and origin. This paper will explore the realist explanations of ethnic conflicts and then see how critical theory explanations offer new insight and answers to puzzles that could not be previously be†¦show more content†¦The most dominant explanation for ethnic conflict in these areas had been the realist account, which claimed that European colonialism created strife by reconstructing African identities and exploiting their resources; forcing them the compete with each other for surv ival. While I do believe that these realist explanations are legitimate factors, I do not think they are the only ones. After reading Stuart Kaufman’s in depth explanations, I am now convinced that value systems—or lack thereof, lie at the root of ethnic conflict. In Northern Sudan, Islamic values encouraged hostile expansionism of Sharia law, which threatened the survival (identity) of the Southern Sudanese who were unwilling to submit to it. Similarly, the creation of hostile myths against the Tutsi minority and large scale acceptance of the use of violence against them in Rwanda shows how easily populations lacking strong value systems can be manipulated by political elites into justifying the most heinous acts of violence against other human beings. Just as there are many plausible theories that explain the causes of ethnic conflicts worldwide, there too are many possible solutions. Although he is a realist scholar, Barry Posen admits thatShow MoreRelatedWhat is Confict Transformation 890 Words   |  4 Pages Conflict transformation explains that rather then getting rid of the conflict (expression or disagreement), it seeks to work at the problem from the inside out (Lederach, 1995). In this conflict stated above the root of the conflict was when the customer did not retain her information and software due to the suggestion given of performing a factory reset her computer. This problem could have been resolved when the customer first came in the store and inquired about this issue. The sale representativeRead MoreThe Dissolution Of Yugoslavi Yugoslavia903 Words   |  4 Pagesof the Soviet Union until the Union dissolved in 1991 and as a result Yugoslavia soon followed, but this is about what caused the Yugoslav dissolution and the effect it had on the future nations created (Metta Spencer). One main cause of the dissolution was the many ethnic groups within the Yugoslavia. Serbs comprised more than a third of the total population in the 1981 census. Percentagewise the Serbians were followed by the Croats (19.7 percent), Muslim Slavs (8.9 percent), Slovenes (7.8 percent)Read MoreThe Tumultuous Past of South Sudan1773 Words   |  7 Pagesseceded from Sudan on 30th January 2011. The new state was plagued by farther rebellions, tribal clashes and border conflict with the Sudan – this conflict was resolved through mediation supported by the African union. The current conflict broke out on 15th December, 2013. The purpose of this brief is to analyze the ongoing conflict in South Sudan and the position of Ethiopia in this conflict. We begin by examining the possible interest of Ethiopia and our capability or option to respond. South SudanRead MoreAfrican Poverty And Its Effects On African Africa1695 Words   |  7 PagesIt is estimated that around half of Sub-Saharan Africans live on under $1 a day. 32 of the 48 poorest countries in the world are in the sub-Saharan region. More needs to be done by African countries to combat the numerous causes of poverty such as Limited credit, War, and conflict, Increased unemployment, Lack of education, Diseases. There are very few lending companies as well as programs in Africa which are willing to provide financial aid to the poor people. The problem arises when the very poorRead MoreConflicts Are International Problems And Require Global Rather Than National Effort1694 Words   |  7 PagesCONCEPTION Conflicts are international problems and require global rather than national effort to eliminate and therefore the international society to recognize it to eliminate the institutions that make war likely. Therefore, the humanitarian organizations have increasingly stressed the need for the international community to embrace principles of human rights, diversity, good governance and participation when responding to situations of insecurity and violent conflict (Botha, 1989). Ethnic conflictsRead MorePeace: the Practice of Intercultural Respect, Reconciliation and Solidarity1689 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual, a government unit, or a mobilized group with a common cause, Peace has ultimately one basic meaning—the absence of hostility or the absence of fear of hostility. Usually it is defined as a state of ‘harmony’ – and this state is emphasized by the lack of violence and the freedom from any sort of violent conflict. Personally speaking, it could be define d as the mending of interpersonal relationships and the easing of personal conflicts— resulting in a healthier and better mental and emotional wellbeingRead MoreRace Is A Social Construction1074 Words   |  5 Pagesthe same ethnic group? Give examples. Ethnic group, as opposed to race as explained in the previous questions, does have some basis. Commonalities that people share in an ethnic group are language, religion, traditions, or physical features. For example, someone who identifies as ethnically British may celebrate Guy Fawkes day and may practice Christianity and follow the Church of England. However there are also catholic people that can identify as ethnically British. There are many ethnic groups,Read MoreEssay on Turkeys Internal Conflict and the Kurdish Minority995 Words   |  4 PagesTurkeys Internal Conflict and the Kurdish Minority Turkeys key internal conflict centers on the role of its large Kurdish minority, ethnically and linguistically distinct, in a state that constitutionally consists of Turks. This issue has been with Turkey almost since the foundation of the Turkish State in 1923. The Kurds were promised the creation of an independent state as part of the treaty of Sevres in 1920 but this part of the treaty was never ratified and Turkey has refused to recognizeRead MoreDoes Primordialism Best Explain the Formation of Identity Groups?1609 Words   |  7 Pagestheory in explaining the formation of identity groups and therefore violence and partitioning a country is the only way to solve conflicts between any two identity groups. As we compare opinions we will see that not only is primordialism not the best theory in explaining the formation of identity groups but also violence and partitioning enemy lines it not the only solution for conflicting groups. Primordialism refers to the belief that â€Å"identity groups are in some sense ‘natural’ or God givenRead MoreWhy Are Intra State Conflicts So Difficult? Resolve?1748 Words   |  7 Pagesare Intra-State Conflicts so difficult to resolve? This essay analyses the reasoning behind the difficulty of solving intra-state conflicts. First, it examines the nature of Intra-State Conflicts, defining their origins and clarifying the different types. The Arab Spring serves as the case in point to elucidate the problem. Furthermore, it is necessary to describe the role of international actors in preventing as well as solving intra-state conflicts. Interventionism, as a conflict management tool