An Introduction To Ethnic Conflict

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Summary: primier On issues in Ethnic Conflict
Review: An Introduction To Ethnic Conflict by Milton J. Esman (Polity Press) (Hardcover)
Written by one of the world's leading scholars in the field, this book provides an excellent introduction to ethnic conflict in the contemporary world: In ten concise chapters, Milton Esman explores the origins of ethnic pluralism and analyses the causes and manifestations of conflicts, both peaceful and violent, involving ethnic communities across the globe. He discusses the role of outsider-governments, diasporas, international agencies, and non-government organizations in provoking and managing ethnic conflicts, and appraises methods which have proven effective for their peaceful resolution. The book concludes with a look at the future of ethnic conflict and argues for the need to regulate such conflicts in an increasingly interdependent world.
Enriched by a plethora of apt examples drawn from all continents, with end-of-chapter summaries and a glossary of key terms, this textbook is essential reading for all students of politics, international relations and political sociology.
The purposes of this book are to help readers appreciate the origins of ethnic conflict, to recognize and account for its many and varied manifestations, and to gain an awareness of alternative approaches to mitigating the intensity of such conflicts and enabling competitive ethnic communities to coexist in peace. Basically, the goal is better understanding of a pervasive and many-faceted global phenomenon.
The subject is presented in ten chapters. Chapter 1 lays out the scope of ethnic pluralism and the varieties and complexity of ethnic conflict in the contemporary world. In chapter 2 we define the principal terms and concepts that appear in this book and evaluate the main approaches in the literature to understanding ethnicity, ethnic solidarity, and ethnic conflict. Chapter 3 explores the sources of ethnic pluralism and the processes, peaceful and violent, by which ethnic communities are mobilized to protect and promote their collective interests. Chapter 4 examines the circumstances that precipitate conflict among ethnic communities and the stakes for which they contend. Chapter 5 discusses the various roles that governments play in generating and managing ethnic conflict, and the transnational and international forces that impinge on interethnic encounters. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 describe, analyze, and evaluate the main patterns of interethnic relations, which are domination, power-sharing, and integration. Chapter 9 deals with the various processes by which ethnic conflicts can be managed, with emphasis on the peaceful regulation of disputes. In chapter 10 we project the dynamics of ethnic pluralism into the future and speculate cautiously on what lies ahead.
As we go to press, all eyes are on Iraq. Here is the site of some of the world's oldest civilizations, while containing the world's second largest petroleum reserves. Its population of 25 million includes several ethnic communities, of which the most populous are Kurds in the north, Sunni Arabs in the center, and Shia Arabs in the south, the latter the apparent majority. There is considerable suspicion and some hostility between these communities and within their many factions, which greatly complicate the problem of organizing and operating a democratic government. Neighboring Iran promotes the interests of their fellow Shia, while neighbor Turkey frowns on any significant autonomy for Iraqi Kurds, fearing this would stir up their own restive Kurdish minority.
Why do Iraqis cling to these separate identities? What do they disagree about and what do they fight over? Why can't they relax and learn to live and let live, to be simply Iraqis and concentrate on making a living, practicing their religious faith, raising their families, and enjoying an abundant life? But if they persist in retaining these separate communal identities, what methods are available to help them coexist and settle their differences in peace, rather than endure the horrors visited on other ethnic communities in such places as Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, and Sudan?
Basic ideas in the volume include:
Ethnic pluralism is not a sufficient condition for ethnic conflict. Ethnic communities have coexisted in peace within the same political space for extended periods of time.
Many individuals are deeply attached to their ethnic community; others are more indifferent, able should the opportunity arise to improve their prospects by passing into another community or into a national mainstream. Most ethnic communities survive and evolve over long periods of time, while others pass out of history. Their members are absorbed or assimilated by others or are integrated as individuals into a national mainstream. Fresh circumstances may occasion the emergence and mobilization of new collective identities with their separate cultures and distinctive interests.
Mobilization and conflict may ensue (1) when the dignity or honor of an ethnic community is challenged by government or another ethnic community; (2) when its vital interests are believed to be threatened; or (3) when fresh circumstances provide opportunities for ethnic communities to achieve goals that were previously considered to be out of reach.
Conflicts between ethnic communities cannot be dismissed as irrational affairs or as misperceptions of reality; they involve differences over real values or interests. Yet, ethnic contestants are capable of inventing or believing rumors about the intentions of their adversaries, of demonizing them, and of committing horrendous atrocities, prolonging the conflict and inhibiting the search for an equitable settlement.
Some ethnic grievances are suppressed by the superior power of governments or of dominant ethnic communities. Suppression, however, only intensifies the grievances that may eventually erupt into protest and violence. Others are channeled into political processes where they can be negotiated, accommodated, and compromised, greatly reducing the risk of violence.
The main task facing social scientists, and officials of governments and international organizations is to improve the instruments of conflict management by NGOs, governments, and international organizations that can produce timely action to forestall or limit the incidence and costs of interethnic violence.
The parties to ethnic conflict espouse contrary views of what would constitute a fair settlement of their dispute. Though mutual distrust, as well as rigid conceptions of their group interest plus extremist factions in their midst, may impede the search for settlement, the resources of diplomacy with assistance from civil society and internationally sanctioned coercive intervention, will play an increasingly active role in nudging the parties to compromise settlements and helping to implement their terms. Like warfare in general, ethnic warfare can be limited and contained, if not completely prevented.
Though much remains to be learned, enough is now known about the origins, dynamics, and outcomes of ethnic conflicts to provide observers and participants with useful guidance for conceptualizing and acting in constructive and humane directions. The purpose of this short volume has been to summarize that state of knowledge at the outset of this century.