Causes of ethnic conflict
Underlying causes
1 Structural factors
Weak or failed states often serve as
an impetus for ethnic conflict. Many times
such states are artificial products (e.g.,
former colonies) that were created without
regard for the existing ethnic and political
divisions within their borders, and their
political and legal institutions tend to be
ineffective.
Violent conflicts are likely if changes in the
economic situation of a state (e.g., cuts
in foreign aid, corruption, administrative
incompetence, and the inability to promote
economic stability) are associated with the
deterioration of the political situation in
the country and the mobilization of ethnic
groups. Group rivalry can lead to military
mobilization, which leads to general
armament of all
ethnic groups within the state
That causes a security dilemma: by making
efforts to provide a means with which to
defend themselves, ethnic groups often
threaten the security of others, whose
reactions to that threat may, in turn,
increase the threat level faced by the
original group or groups. Violent conflicts
and internal security dilemmas lead to
massive human-rights violations, refugee
flows, and spillover effects with the potential
to destabilize whole regions.
Ethnic geography—the geographic
distribution and territorial concentration of
ethnic groups in pluralistic states—also
contributes to the likelihood of violent ethnic
conflict. Ethnic conflict is particularly
common in states with territorially
concentrated ethnic groups located near a
border or with ethnic kin in
an adjacent state. Those groups show high
levels of organization and increased group
cohesion and are able to use shared
homelands as a territorial base for their
political struggle.
2 Political factors
Ethnic conflict is particularly likely in states
where ethnic groups lack sufficient
representation in public and political
institutions. Authoritarian one-party regimes
with discriminatory legislation and a lack of
opportunities for ethnic groups to participate
in state decision-making processes are
particularly prone to ethnic conflict.
Liberal democracies that focus on the ideals
of inclusion, political debate, and the
attempt to reach consensus among all
participants in the political
process facilitate nonviolent ethnopolitical
action and are thus less likely to
experience rebellion or uprisings
Exclusionary national ideologies may also
serve as a source of
conflict. Nationalism and, in an increased
form, citizenship based on ethnic
distinctions are especially dangerous
because such ideologies tend to flourish in
situations of political uncertainty and
economic collapse. Other forms of
exclusionary national ideologies include
religious fundamentalism and supremacist
fascist expressions.
The existence, or lack of existence, of
stable domestic intergroup relations can
also have a
bearing on whether violent ethnic conflict is
likely to occur. Violent conflict is particularly
probable if the claims of the various ethnic
groups are incongruous, if groups have
strength and are organized, if it is possible
for groups to take action, if success is
a feasible outcome, and if there is
a tangible fear of suppression
and discrimination on the basis of ethnicity.
The tactics that may be utilized by leaders
and elites during political turmoil also affect
the likelihood of violent ethnic conflict.
Scapegoating, hate speech, and
manipulation of the mass media are means
that have the potential to heighten
existing discord between ethnic groups.
3 Economic and social factors
Economic problems such as slowdowns,
stagnation, deterioration, and complete
collapse are sources of state destabilization
and can lead to increased tensions and
competition among ethnic groups.
Discriminatory economic systems in which
various groups are faced with inequitable
options (in terms of economic opportunities,
access to land and other resources,
standards of living, and the like) generate
resentment and also contribute to
tensions and destabilization. Fast economic
transitions (e.g., from centrally planned to
market economies) and development can
also aggravate instability by creating
favourable conditions for domestic
migration, urbanization, and other societal
changes to which the existing political and
social structures might not be able to adapt.
These changes also can raise hopes for
economic and political gains that might not
come to fruition and might then serve as a
source of frustration.
4 Cultural or perceptual
factors
Cultural factors such as problematic group
histories, stereotypical perceptions, and
grievances over cultural discrimination—
including limitations on religious and cultural
practices, unequal educational
opportunities, and restrictions on the use
of minority languages—are common causes
of ethnic conflict. In addition, a weakening
of traditional forms of dispute settlement
(such as a council of elders) changes
the environment for the resolution of ethnic
disputes.
5 Proximate causes
Brown notes that proximate causes can be
situated within a matrix that identifies them
as being instigated at either an elite level or
a mass level and as being instigated by
developments that occur internally or
externally. He thus identifies four main types
of proximate causes of internal conflict:
internal mass-level factors, external mass-
level factors, external elite-level factors, and
internal elite-level factors.
What do you suggest as a solution to bring
peace and stability in the country
Interest Based Problem Solving
• Separate people from the proble
• Concentrate on the merits
• Focus on interests instead of positions
• Develop options for mutual gains
• Use objective criteria
Conflict Assessment: Identifying
Stakeholders and their Interests
• Identifying the issues
• Identifying the stakeholders
• Legitimacy of outcomes defined by
involvement of the right stakeholders
• Importance of a conflict assessment
Successful Conflict Resolution
• When solution meets stakeholders’
interests
• When stakeholders either continue to trust
and respect one another, or their mutual
trust and respect is restored or improved
• When productive future interactions are
possible
• When stakeholders feel they can approach
each other safely to problem solve
• When there is genuine respect between
stakeholders
Four Strategies to manage
conflict
Problem-Solving Negotiation: Seek
solutions to ensure all parties achieve their
goals and resolve any tensions or negative
feelings between them.
