What are the causes of ethnic conflict?They are not directly caused by the inter-group differences.A more common situation in which ethnic groups defending the interests of peace.
But the reason, according to some scientists, is the fall of the authoritarian regime.As an example, result in the situation prevailing in the Eastern European region, where there are differences and ethnic conflicts, after the fall of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the authoritarian regime.This has common sense.
However, this argument gives an incomplete picture of the causes of international conflicts.Basically, scientists explain their basis in 2 levels of analysis - the system and national.
analysis of the causes of international conflicts at the domestic level.
In this case, we consider domestic factors influencing the emergence of ethnic conflicts:
- democratization,
- Nationalism,
- effectively addressing voters
People need to see that state.power can create an effective system of security and economic growth.
Nationalism reflects the need to create a state that can achieve these goals.
observed the rise of nationalism and the risk of ethnic conflicts, where the State does not meet emerging military and economic threats to the people of the country and unable to create effective institutions of governance.
One example is the situation with the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern European communist states, which in turn led to a new round of nationalism and this has led to inter-ethnic wars in the post-Soviet countries and the Russian Federation itself, the growth of nationalist sentiment.
Another factor is the emergence of ethnic tensions democratization, which is also able to cause ethnic conflicts.
Indeed democratization can reduce ethnic tension in the society, allowing the creation of open to all ethnic groups of controls to address all the peoples of the country, but, anyway, it is problematic for a multi-ethnic society, especially in the first stage, after the fall of the old regimeand the birth of the new - democratic regime.
With the development of democracy in society, if the previous regime was built on the forced assimilation, including ethnic expulsion and the destruction of companies aimed at solving international conflicts, democratization in such a situation will be complicated.
Another important point - the comparative size of ethnic groups in society.When one group more than the other, it can have a greater impact in disagreement about something.This means that the interests of smaller groups will not be adequately met.
Read more analysis of the causes of international conflicts at the system level.