Ethnic mobilization, equality and conflict in multi-ethnics states

Abstract

What are the effects of ethnic mobilization on ethnic equality and conflict? Most of the existing literature has seen ethnic mobilization as harmful to democracy and peace. In contrast, my dissertation argues that its effect depends on the type of multi-ethnic society at hand, distinguishing between “ranked” and “unranked” ethnic systems. Ranked systems are defined as countries characterized by the dominance of a European(-descendant) group over other groups perceived to be racially distinct. Unranked systems are based on other ethnic cleavages and characterized by more equal ethnic group relations without a historically determined hierarchy. The statistical analyses reveal that ethnic organizations increase the risk of ethnic dominance and violence in unranked systems. In contrast, in ranked systems, they increase the level of peaceful ethnic group protest only, while empowering historically marginalized groups. Four case studies based on field research reconstruct the mechanisms by which ethnic organizations influence equality and conflict.