Ethnic conflicts test security<\/p>\n
By Anak Agung Banyu Perwita<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): A major problem facing pluralistic nation-states
\nis rising ethnic conflict among their people. Since the Cold War,
\nconflict between ethnic groups and states has posed major
\nchallenges to domestic and international security in most parts
\nof the world.<\/p>\n
Conceptually, ethnic conflict is a permanent form of modern
\neconomic, social, and political struggle. In more acute
\nmanifestations, it may turn to murderous violence and
\ndestruction. A recent study demonstrates that since World War II,
\n40 ethnic groups in various parts of the world have been
\nvictimized. Some have suffered genocide.<\/p>\n
Ethnic conflict varies. It generally involves a struggle over
\neconomic rights, political representation, freedom of religion,
\npreservation of ethnic identities or self-determination.<\/p>\n
In other words, according to Stephen Ryan, no single factor
\ncauses ethnic conflicts.<\/p>\n
Graham Fueller of the RAND Corporation argues that conflict
\nbetween minority and majority groups are driven by unequal
\ndistribution of power, prosperity and influence.<\/p>\n
In many pluralistic communities, minority groups may find
\ntheir traditional interests suddenly questioned by the ethnic
\nmajority. Ethnic minorities are frequently the victims of dis
\ncrimination.<\/p>\n
Most ethnic conflicts are started by minority groups. In
\nauthoritarian regimes, violence escalates quickly because
\nofficial responses are more likely to be repressive than
\nreformist.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, in most cases of ethnic conflict the state is not
\nan impartial arbiter, it takes sides in the conflict. In multi-
\nethnic communities, the state is usually controlled by the
\nmajority ethnic group which causes ethnic nationalism. This
\ncondition exacerbates ethnic conflict and domestic security.<\/p>\n
Most ethnic conflict in the Third World starts as intrastate
\nconflict, but it may develop into interstate conflict if external
\nparties interfere. Here, ethnic conflict spills across
\nterritorial borders. States with close emotional ties to ethnic
\ngroups in another State will often intervene in a conflict.<\/p>\n
States often regard it as their right and duty to become
\ninvolved in other states' ethnic affairs. Ethnic conflict in
\nSouth Asia is an example of intrastate conflict that became
\ninterstate conflict which, in turn, destabilized regional
\nsecurity.<\/p>\n
External involvement by other states will always have a
\nnegative influence on ethnic conflict. Evidence suggests that
\nexternal intervention is likely to escalate a conflict and
\nintroduce new conflicting issues and parties.<\/p>\n
How can we resolve ethnic conflict without causing interstate
\nconflict or war?<\/p>\n
Many analysts argue that the most radical way to resolve
\nethnic conflict is to reconstruct state-systems so that
\ntraditional territorial borders correspond more closely to the
\nsocial and cultural boundaries of people.<\/p>\n
A pluralist paradigm contends, in this case, that there would
\nbe a fundamental change from territorial-state to territorial
\ncommunity. The state-system would also alter from an
\ninternational system to an intersocietal system.<\/p>\n
A more open and constructive way to resolve conflict is to
\nrecognize and strengthen communal groups within an existing
\nstate's system.<\/p>\n
Elise Boulding, for instance, argues that devolving authority
\nof communal groups will not only resolve fundamental structural
\nproblems of modern states but will strengthen nationalism.<\/p>\n
Nationalism, in this case, is the key to building a country's
\nnationhood. Above all, we need to develop an open society in
\norder to facilitate economic, political and cultural differences
\namong people. An open society is based on democratic values which
\nacknowledge differences in the community.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, ethnic differences challenge international
\nrelations as well as statesmen and policy makers. We need a
\nbetter understanding of the complexities of changing domestic and
\ninternational situations, which are highly relevant at the end
\nthe twentieth century.<\/p>\n
The writer is a lecturer at the Department of International
\nRelations, Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ethnic-conflicts-test-security-1447893297",
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