Modern Hatreds : The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War

Ethnic conflict has been the driving force of wars all over the world, yet it remains an enigma. What is it about ethnicity that breaks countries apart and drives people to acts of savage violence against their lifelong neighbors? Stuart Kaufman rejects the notion of permanent "ancient hatreds" as the answer. Dissatisfied as well with a purely rationalist explanation, he finds the roots of ethnic violence in myths and symbols, the stories ethnic groups tell about who they are. Ethnic wars, Kaufman argues, result from the politics of these myths and symbols--appeals to flags and faded glories that aim to stir emotions rather than to address interests. Popular hostility based on these myths impels groups to follow extremist leaders invoking such emotion-laden ethnic symbols. If ethnic domination becomes their goal, ethnic war is the likely result. Kaufman examines contemporary ethnic wars in the Caucasus and southeastern Europe. Drawing on information from a variety of sources, including visits to the regions and dozens of personal interviews, he demonstrates that diplomacy and economic incentives are not enough to prevent or end ethnic wars. The key to real conflict resolution is peacebuilding--the often-overlooked effort by nongovernmental organizations to change hostile attitudes at both the elite and the grassroots levels

Ethnic conflict has been the driving force of wars all over the world, yet it remains an enigma. What is it about ethnicity that breaks countries apart and drives people to acts of savage violence against their lifelong neighbors?

Stuart Kaufman rejects the notion of permanent "ancient hatreds" as the answer. Dissatisfied as well with a purely rationalist explanation, he finds the roots of ethnic violence in myths and symbols, the stories ethnic groups tell about who they are. Ethnic wars, Kaufman argues, result from the politics of these myths and symbols—appeals to flags and faded glories that aim to stir emotions rather than to address interests. Popular hostility based on these myths impels groups to follow extremist leaders invoking such emotion-laden ethnic symbols. If ethnic domination becomes their goal, ethnic war is the likely result.

Kaufman examines contemporary ethnic wars in the Caucasus and southeastern Europe. Drawing on information from a variety of sources, including visits to the regions and dozens of personal interviews, he demonstrates that diplomacy and economic incentives are not enough to prevent or end ethnic wars. The key to real conflict resolution is peacebuilding—the often-overlooked effort by nongovernmental organizations to change hostile attitudes at both the elite and the grassroots levels.

Kaufman begins by surveying the stories various reporters and analysts have told about the conflict in Yugoslavia. From these stories he unravels some underlying assumptions, then gleans insights from each type of analysis, and combines them into a more comprehensive explanation for the causes of ethnic war. He writes clearly of the complexities, teasing out relationships among the factors of history, symbols, attitudes, leadership, and the economy. Kaufman acknowledges support for this study from the United States Institute of Peace and the University of Kentucky, among other institutions, but his current affiliation is not stated in the book. c. Book News Inc Contents Acknowledgments 1. Stories about Ethnic War 2. The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War 3. Karabagh and the Fears of Minorities 4. Georgia and the Fears of Majorities 5. Elite Conspiracy in Moldova’s Civil War 6. Government Jingoism and the Fall of Yugoslavia 7. The Power of Symbols Notes Index