What role does ethnicity play in driving conflict?

Ethnicity can be a significant factor in driving conflict, often through fostering division, competition, and misunderstanding.

Ethnicity, as a social construct, plays a crucial role in shaping identities and affiliations. It can be a source of pride and unity, but it can also be manipulated to create division and conflict. In many instances, ethnic differences are politicised and used as a tool to gain power, control resources, or maintain dominance. This is often seen in post-colonial states where the colonial powers had manipulated ethnic divisions to maintain control. In such cases, ethnicity becomes a fault line along which conflict can easily erupt.

Moreover, competition over scarce resources can also exacerbate ethnic tensions. When resources are limited, groups may begin to identify more strongly with their ethnic group as a means of securing access to these resources. This can lead to a zero-sum mentality, where the success of one group is seen as a threat to the others, thereby fuelling conflict. For example, in Rwanda, the competition for land between the Hutus and Tutsis was a significant factor in the 1994 genocide.

Misunderstanding and lack of communication between different ethnic groups can also drive conflict. Stereotypes, prejudices, and misconceptions can create fear and mistrust, which can escalate into violence if not addressed. This is often seen in multi-ethnic societies where there is little interaction between different ethnic communities. The lack of understanding and empathy can make it easier for conflict to ignite and harder for it to be resolved.

Furthermore, the role of ethnicity in conflict is often amplified by other factors such as poverty, political instability, and social inequality. These factors can create a sense of grievance and frustration that can be channelled along ethnic lines. For instance, in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, longstanding ethnic tensions were inflamed by economic crisis and political manipulation, leading to a brutal conflict.

In conclusion, while ethnicity itself is not a cause of conflict, it can be a significant factor in driving conflict when combined with other social, economic, and political factors. Understanding the role of ethnicity in conflict is therefore crucial for conflict prevention and resolution.