Ethnic Conflict

In the analytical literature dedicated to the problems of ethnic conflicts and quiet often noted as ethnoconflictology, there is no general agreement which conflicts can be considered as ethnic conflicts, and which ones are beyond of it’s scope. Likewise, the nature of an ethnic conflict is quiet vague in itself. So, it is principally impossible to differentiate the characteristics, forming an unique nature of an ethnic conflict, separating it from other types of social conflicts. At the same time, conflicts, falling into the category of ethnic conflicts, should be considered in a broader perspective – under the class of social conflicts. It should be mentioned, not every member of ethnic groups, participating in an ethnic conflict, is prone to conflicting behavior[1].
The detailed definition of an ethnic conflict is offered by sociologists Hugh Miall: ethnic conflicts are the struggle for maintenance of one’s own peculiar identity. Ethnic groups, inclined to conflicting behavior, strive for equality with other groups (for example in decision-making process). Ethnically diverse societies are divided on ethnic lines in a way that some of them are forced to integrate in the national culture of their encompassing state, eading to frustration, polarization and violence. In it’s wider sense, an ethnic conflict is a violence between two ethnic groups in the framework of one unitary state, where the issue of ethnicity serve for the basis of confrontation.[2]
Ethnic conflicts are not mere the creation of contemporary time. Ethnic conflicts have arisen during the whole history of humanity. The desire to preserve ethnic minorities’ peculiar identity, either through national liberation, or through gaining the status of national autonomy, was the cause of these conflicts. The fair of loss of cultural traditions, ethnic heritage and national language contributed to conflicting situation[3]. Some scientists point to the perenniality of ethnic conflicts and the 20th century is considered to be the watershed in it’s historical development.[4]
[1]Малахов В.С. Национализм как политическая идеология. М. 2005
[2]Baird A. An Atmosphere of Reconciliation: A Theory of Resolving Ethnic Conflicts Based on the Transcaucasian Conflicts. The Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution. Issue 2.4 November 1999. ISSN 1522-211X.
[3]Tishkov A. Ethnicity and Power in the Contemporary World. Edited by Kumar Rupesinghe and Valery. http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu12ee/uu12ee00.htm#Contents
[4]Baird A. An Atmosphere of Reconciliation: A Theory of Resolving Ethnic Conflicts Based on the Transcaucasian Conflicts. The Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution. Issue 2.4 November 1999.