Why is it that Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland have been in perpetual conflict for thirty years when they can live and prosper together elsewhere? Why was there a bloody civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina when Croats, Serbs, and Muslims had lived peacefully side-by-side for decades? Why did nobody see and act upon the early warning signs of genocide in Rwanda that eventually killed close to a million people in a matter of weeks? What is it that makes Kashmir potentially worth a nuclear war between India and Pakistan?
In Ethnic Conflict, I draw upon eyewitness testimonies, reports by Human Rights organizations, theories of conflict and conflict management, and my own experience in working to resolve ethnic conflict to offer compelling answers to these questions.
In recent years hardly a day has gone by when ethnic conflict in some part of the world has not made headline news. The violence involved in these conflicts continues to destabilize entire regions, hamper social and economic development, and cause unimaginable human suffering. Also exploring the crucial, and growing, links between ethnic conflict and other security challenges, such as terrorism and organized crime, I go beyond media coverage of these crises to illuminate the broad similarities between ethnic conflicts around the world and to engage the fundamental question underlying them all: why do nationalism and ethnicity still have such terrible power to turn neighbour against neighbour?
Clear, intelligent, full of relevant case studies. An excellent, accessible overview. — Gareth Evans, Chairman of the International Crisis Group and former Foreign Minister of Australia
A masterpiece of synthesis, a fine tour of the field. informed, lucid, and accessible. — Donald L. Horowitz, Duke Professor of Law and Political Science, Duke University
Very useful…an extensive and insightful review of ethnic conflicts around the world. — Ambassador Dennis Ross, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Most interesting and stimulating reading. — Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum
An important book for our times. — Walter Isaacson, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute