Why does ethnic conflict remain one of the major security challenges in today's world? Can we avoid another Rwanda in the future? How was it possible, after almost four decades, to achieve a lasting settlement to the conflict in Northern Ireland, while that in Kashmir remains unresolved after more than sixty years?
These and other questions are the focus of this book. Investigating the causes and consequences of ethnic conflict, the authors argue that the most effective responses are those that take into account factors at the local, state, regional and global level and which avoid seeking simplistic explanations and solutions to what is a truly complex phenomenon. What matters most for understanding ethnic conflicts are the choices that people make ? leaders and followers alike ? and not a set of mysterious unknowable forces.
Once we know that ethnic conflicts are not difficult to understand, but that there is a lot to understand about them, we can also appreciate that they are not impossible to resolve. However, it takes skilful, committed and principled leaders to achieve just solutions that are supported by their followers, and it takes the long-term commitment of the international community to enable and sustain these solutions.
Hardback
Status
Available
Edition
First
Edition
ISBN
9780745639307
ISBN10
0745639305
Publication Dates ROW:
Nov 2009
Publication Dates US:
Jan 2009
Publication Dates Aus & NZ:
Jan 2010
Format
246 x 171 mm
,
6.75 x 9.75 in
Pages
304
pages
Paperback
Status
Available
Edition
First
Edition
ISBN
9780745639314
ISBN10
0745639313
Publication Dates ROW:
Nov 2009
Publication Dates US:
Jan 2010
Publication Dates Aus & NZ:
Jan 2010
Format
246 x 171 mm
,
6.75 x 9.75 in
Pages
304
pages
* Exam copies only available to lecturers for whom the book may be suitable as a course text.
Please note: Sales representation and distribution for Polity titles is provided by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
Contents Acknowledgements 1 Introduction 2 The Study of Ethnic Conflict Part 1: The Causes and Consequences of Ethnic Conflict 3 Theories of Ethnic Conflict 4 Motive, Means and Opportunity: A Framework for Understanding the Causes of Ethnic Conflict Part 2: Responses to Ethnic Conflict 5 The Prevention, Management and Settlement of Ethnic Conflicts 6 International Intervention 7 Conflict Settlement in Theory and Practice 8 ‘Alternatives’ to Consensual Conflict Settlement 9 Conclusion Bibliography Index
Karl Cordell is Reader in Politics at the University of Plymouth
Stefan Wolff is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for International Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution at the University of Nottingham
