POL 15a Study Guide - Final Guide: Non-Interventionism, Nationstates
12 Dec 2016
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Ethnic groups will act protectively when there is a collapse of government authority. Constructivists note that ethnicity does not inevitably lead to war, rather it is socially constructed because symbols, myths, and memories can be altered over time. Nationalism can be caused when groups see themselves as superior to others (social interaction theory). Civil wars can arise when grievances (disadvantaged) or greed (oil) occur. Violent groups can achieve their ends by manipulating ethnic myths and fears, and by using the emotional power of ethnic symbols to reconstruct the larger group"s preferences. The international community can respond to ethnic conflict via: neglect, diplomacy, peace enforcement, or geographical separation (partitions). Additionally, neglect can result in the most stabilizing result (1 side wins), but may result in genocide, or ethnic cleansing. Meanwhile, peace enforcement via intervention can make situations worse turning civil wars into international wars.
