Week 3 Flashcards
Ethnic conflict
conflict between 2 or more groups with different ethnic identity’s
Groupism
The tendency to treat ethnic groups nations and races as solid entities to which agency and interests can be attributed. Like solid groups, while often not single minded or completely unified (people within the same group can have different opinions)
Primordialism
ethnic identity’s deeply rooted = highly durable, ethnic violence caused ancient hatred thesis (ethnic violence is natural. Critique: how to explain modern hatreds? + fluidity of culture
Instrumentalism
ethnic identity constructed by elites for their own purpose (deeper material interests + gain power)
Reason for instrumentalism
- increases in-group solidarity (us vs them dynamic)
- Silences opposition for fear of being “traitors”
Group psychological approach
Ethnic violence is at least partly part of human nature
Social identity theory (SIT)
Individuals get their sense of value from their groups and seek to have their groups valued positively in comparison to other groups = Ethnic conflict is a conflict over group worth
Weakness group psychological approach
- no account for timing and spatial variation
- Groupism
Critiques primordialist approach
- New hatred for new groups
- Temporal and spatial variation
Critiques of instrumentalism
- Why do the masses follow
- Why is ethnicity in particular useful
Genocide
Genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to
destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group,
3 components genocide
- Crime against protected group. 2. Actus reus (physical part of crime being committed)
- Mens rea (mental component of intent)
Examples Actus reus
- Failing to provide medical care
- Subjecting member of group to excessive amount of work
- Denying members their homes
- Creating circumstances that would lead to slow death (no food, water, sanitation)
Mens rea
Evidence of intent behind violence
Ways in which wars make genocide more likely
- War creates threat & insecurity
- War creates categories of ally/enemy
- War makes the use of military power more likely
Gagnon article
serbia vs Croats, how elites creates ethnic violence between groups who before could easily live together
Pauline Wakeham article
Actus reus elements of ethnic violence against native inhabitants of canada (kidnapping children, not being allowed to speak their language etc )
Varshney article
Ethnic violence greater in some parts then in others why? Depends on how separated ethnities live within the same place = more daily interaction (trade) with people from different ethnicities = less ethnic violence
