Explaining the Breakdown of Ethnic Relations

At a time when human capacities for conflict and for cooperation seem to be at their peak, it is vital to understand the host of factors that may lead to the catastrophic deterioration of relatively peaceful relations between ethnocultural and ethnoreligious groups. In particular, how is it that groups that have shared social and public space, and have developed economic ties, can come to engage in deadly violence against one another? How do we explain acts of cruelty committed by once peaceful neighbors? Explaining the Breakdown of Ethnic Relations addresses the multitude of factors that may lead to the collapse of ethnic relations using both real-world case studies and theoretical perspectives from a variety of disciplines. Though their perspectives differ, the original, contributed chapters in this volume all attempt to identify events and processes that can break down inhibitions against violence, and lead to mass killings and genocide. Together, they describe the different levels and kinds of explanations that must be considered if we are to make sense of past acts and prevent repetition. There are powerful messages here that will be of interest and relevance to social scientists and policy-makers alike.