Autonomy and Ethnic Conflict in South and South-East Asia

Abstract

The concept of territorial or regional autonomy holds centre stage in the literature on ethnic conflict settlement because it is supposed to be able to reconcile two paradoxical objectives: the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state, and the satisfaction of ethnic minorities’ right to national self-determination. Critics argue, however, that autonomy may not be the panacea for ethnic conflict in all cases. The contributing authors begin with the concept of territorial or regional autonomy and subject it to a rigorous empirical analysis, which provides reliable evidence regarding the suitability of the autonomy solution to intractable ethnic conflicts. Drawing upon case studies from Kashmir, Assam, Sri Lanka, Aceh, Mindanao and Southern Thailand, this edited volume argues that autonomy arrangements may at best work to resolve only a handful of separatist ethnic conflicts in South and South-East Asia. This book will be of much interest to students of South and South-East Asia, Asian security, ethnic conflict, peace studies and IR in general. Contents Introduction: Is Autonomy a Solution or an Obstacle to Resolving Ethn0-national Conflicts? Rajat Ganguly 1. Prospects for Autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir D. Suba Chandran 2. The Rise and Decline of a Separatist Insurgency: Contentious Politics in Assam, India Sanjib Baruah 3. Ethnic Peacemaking in Sri Lanka: The Politics of Autonomy Solution P. Sahadevan 4. Ending the War in Aceh: Leadership, Patronage and Autonomy in Yudhoyono's Indonesia Marcus Mietzner 5. Mindanao, Southern Philippines: The Pitfalls in Working for Peace in a Time of Political Decay Nathan Gilbert Quimpo 6. When Autonomy is not an Option? Governing Violence in Southern Thailand Chaiwat Satha-Anand Conclusion: What Does the Empirical Evidence Tell Us about the Suitability of Territorial Autonomy in Resolving Ethno-national Conflicts in South and Southeast Asia? Rajat Ganguly