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Is "identity-based conflict" a valid or banal concept? Event history analysis of civil war onset, 1960-2000

Tosaka, Rumi Morishima
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1212613719

Abstract Details

2008, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Sociology.
One assumption that is often implicit yet widely held in the conflict literature is the existence of "identity-based (ethnic)" conflicts. While this type of conflict is presumed to be conceptually and empirically distinct from "non-identity" conflicts, few close examinations have been undertaken regarding the validity of this assumption. By using the conditional risk model, a Cox proportional hazard model that allows for multiple failures, this dissertation investigates whether or not the two war "types" evince different causal explanations in ways that can justify the oft-mentioned distinction. Results suggest that while the different "types" of war share many causes, economic exclusion seems more applicable to non-identity civil war (e.g., class-based warfare) while political exclusion better explains identity-based civil war overall, suggesting that there may be some truth to the argument that political recognition plays an important role in identity-based war. First, socioeconomic development and international economic integration seem generally important for war prevention, yet other aspects of modernization show different patterns across the "types" of civil war. Population growth increases the risk of identity-based war. Economic differentials encourage non-identity wars, whereas political differentials seem to pose a greater danger of identity-based warfare. Second, as for political environments, inclusive political systems exhibit generally beneficial effects, while exclusive ones are the most dangerous, particularly regarding identity-based conflicts. Also, systematic denial of political opportunities, whether through discriminatory policies or deprivation of autonomy, increases the risk of identity war. In contrast, economic discrimination increases the risk of non-identity warfare. Third, the group size/numbers and identity attributes in combination differently affect the risk of the two war "types." Religious diversity reduces the risk of non-identity wars, whereas linguistic fractionalization and ethnic polarization significantly increase the risk of identity-based civil war. Finally, the results also suggest that "conflict trap" exists regardless of the war "type," at least up to the second event. It seems that either type of first conflict experience should be recognized as a serious precursory to continued conflict. Despite some scholars' call for complete abandonment of identity-based conflict studies, it seems the classification merits further debate and continued empirical investigation.
Edward M. Crenshaw (Committee Chair)
J. Craig Jenkins (Committee Member)
Pamela M. Paxton (Committee Member)
Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier (Committee Member)
216 p.
Sociology
civil war; ethnic conflict; identity-based conflict; political system; ethnic diversity; religious diversity; socioeconomic development; political violence

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tosaka, R. M. (2008). Is "identity-based conflict" a valid or banal concept? Event history analysis of civil war onset, 1960-2000 [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1212613719

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tosaka, Rumi. Is "identity-based conflict" a valid or banal concept? Event history analysis of civil war onset, 1960-2000. 2008. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1212613719.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tosaka, Rumi. "Is "identity-based conflict" a valid or banal concept? Event history analysis of civil war onset, 1960-2000." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1212613719

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.