Resolving Conflict Flashcards
What are the 3 widely used methods of conflict resolution?
Power-sharing, Consociationalism, Decentralisation
What is the background to these methods of conflict resolution?
Multiparty initially failed
Electoral violence, illegitimacy and undemocratic/repressive states followed
Critique of multiparty democracy: do non identity-based multiparty systems work in heterogeneous states?
What are the 3 forms of power sharing as a response to conflict resolution?
(1) Immediate conflict resolution (Liberia, Sierra Leone)
(2) Conflict where power sharing is not an explicit part of the peace agreement (Kenya, Zimbabwe)
(3) Exacerbates conflict as rebel groups demand pay offs
What is the man critique of power sharing?
What is the point in elections?
Isn’t it usually just a result of elite consensus and not a move in the right direction for ‘the people’?
What is the theoretical discussion on power sharing?
Cheeseman and Tendi: power sharing comparison between Kenya and Zimbabwe
Kenya: initially a stable power share due to elite consensus > broke down in 1980s due to Pres. Daniel arap Moi’s use of divide and rule tactics > 2008 violence due to refusal to relinquish power > now an ethnically bipolar political system with a new position of PM
Zimbabwe: Mugabe was the first president and declared himself so for life > 2008 movement for democratic change > opposition won vote but Mugabe technically won pres. vote > tried to crush opposition > when this failed created PM position for opposition
What is consociationalism as a form of conflict resolution and where did it come from?
Coined by Leichhardt to tackle culturally divided societies
Institutional recognition/registering of identities
Cooperation of different [often antagonistic] groups
What are two methods of consociationalism for conflict resolution?
Segmented veto: vetoes for legislature that could negatively affect a minority
Representative segments; minorities participating in social state fabric
What are two case studies of consociationalism and how do they vary?
Ethiopia: constitution found along ethnic boundaries
Burundi: economic corporatism (control of state by large interest groups)
What is the largest critique of consociationalism in conflict resolution?
Do these arrangements exacerbate/reinforce identity boundaries?
What is decentralisation as a form of conflict resolution?
Localism or federalism
This is designed to ensure representation
What is the critique of decentralisation as a form of conflict resolution?
The same advantages of localism can exacerbate fracturing and identity differences
