Issues of Theory and Practice in Ethnic Conflict Management

Abstract

Many people believe that ethnic conflict is potentially the most destabilizing force in the post cold-war world (Huntington, 1993). Consequently there is widespread interest in efforts to settle ethnically based disputes or at least to manage them in ways which limit their destructive effects. As a result governments are now considering options ranging from the development of early warning systems, preventative diplomacy, training special negotiation and mediation teams, and the development of multinational rapid reactions teams to intervene in ethnic conflicts which escalate out of control.