Ethnic Conflict

by Rajat Ganguly

Ethnic conflict, in various forms, has become a dominant feature of the post-Cold War international landscape and the most common cause of wars and political violence. This new upper-level textbook offers a comprehensive overview of four key dimensions of ethnic (1) why and how ethnic identity is formed, sustained and acquires political salience;
(2) the reasons behind the onset of violent ethnic insurgencies and conflict;
(3) the dynamics and consequences of ethnic conflict;
(4) the various mechanisms through which ethnic conflicts may be settled. The book is divided into two Part I addresses the four key dimensions of ethnic conflict above in a theoretical and conceptual way. Part II consists of six case studies of ethnic conflict from the developing world (two each from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa), all informed by the theoretical insights of Part I. A concluding chapter will pull together the key lessons learned about ethnic conflicts and the major policy dilemmas and implications that are posed by the global manifestation of ethnic conflict. Employing an interdisciplary approach, this book will be essential reading for upper-level students of ethnic conflict, and recommended reading for students of war and conflict studies, area studies. security studies and comparative politics/IR.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011