Dawn Brancati
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199549009
- eISBN:
- 9780191720307
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199549009.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Politics
Why does political decentralization reduce intrastate conflict more in some countries than in others? Can political institutions be designed to engender peace? If so, how? Addressing these questions, ...
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Why does political decentralization reduce intrastate conflict more in some countries than in others? Can political institutions be designed to engender peace? If so, how? Addressing these questions, this book advances the current debate on decentralization beyond a discussion of whether or not decentralization is effective in reducing conflict, to when and under what conditions it is successful. The book bridges opposing views while offering an original one, arguing that decentralization's ability to reduce conflict hinges on the electoral strength of regional parties, which, in turn, varies according to different institutional features of decentralization. Various aspects of political systems likewise affect the extent to which regional parties stimulate conflict and conversely, the degree to which statewide parties mitigate it. This book illuminates the exigent issue of how to design political institutions in order to promote peace.Less
Why does political decentralization reduce intrastate conflict more in some countries than in others? Can political institutions be designed to engender peace? If so, how? Addressing these questions, this book advances the current debate on decentralization beyond a discussion of whether or not decentralization is effective in reducing conflict, to when and under what conditions it is successful. The book bridges opposing views while offering an original one, arguing that decentralization's ability to reduce conflict hinges on the electoral strength of regional parties, which, in turn, varies according to different institutional features of decentralization. Various aspects of political systems likewise affect the extent to which regional parties stimulate conflict and conversely, the degree to which statewide parties mitigate it. This book illuminates the exigent issue of how to design political institutions in order to promote peace.
Dawn Brancati
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199549009
- eISBN:
- 9780191720307
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199549009.003.0008
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Politics
This chapter brings together the findings of the three case studies and the statistical analysis, and offers a forward‐looking discussion of how to design political institutions in order to ...
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This chapter brings together the findings of the three case studies and the statistical analysis, and offers a forward‐looking discussion of how to design political institutions in order to effectively manage intrastate conflict. It also discusses the political and logistical issues involved in implementing such a system, and discusses avenues for future research.Less
This chapter brings together the findings of the three case studies and the statistical analysis, and offers a forward‐looking discussion of how to design political institutions in order to effectively manage intrastate conflict. It also discusses the political and logistical issues involved in implementing such a system, and discusses avenues for future research.
Dawn Brancati
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199549009
- eISBN:
- 9780191720307
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199549009.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Politics
Why does decentralization reduce ethnic conflict and secessionism more in some countries than in others? This question constitutes the central focus of this book. After presenting the puzzle, the ...
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Why does decentralization reduce ethnic conflict and secessionism more in some countries than in others? This question constitutes the central focus of this book. After presenting the puzzle, the book defines political decentralization and lays out the debate between scholars, who argue that decentralization intensifies intrastate conflict, and policy‐makers, who argue that decentralization reduces it. The chapter previews the book's argument, which is that the effect of decentralization hinges on the electoral strength of regional parties. Subsequently, the book describes its methodological approach, consisting of three carefully selected cases studies — Czechoslovakia (1989–93), Spain (1976–present), and India (1947–present) — and a statistical analysis examining the effect on decentralization and regional parties on intrastate conflict, and decentralization, in turn, on regional parties.Less
Why does decentralization reduce ethnic conflict and secessionism more in some countries than in others? This question constitutes the central focus of this book. After presenting the puzzle, the book defines political decentralization and lays out the debate between scholars, who argue that decentralization intensifies intrastate conflict, and policy‐makers, who argue that decentralization reduces it. The chapter previews the book's argument, which is that the effect of decentralization hinges on the electoral strength of regional parties. Subsequently, the book describes its methodological approach, consisting of three carefully selected cases studies — Czechoslovakia (1989–93), Spain (1976–present), and India (1947–present) — and a statistical analysis examining the effect on decentralization and regional parties on intrastate conflict, and decentralization, in turn, on regional parties.
Dawn Brancati
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199549009
- eISBN:
- 9780191720307
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199549009.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Politics
This chapter elaborates on the argument regarding how the effect of decentralization on intrastate conflict hinges on regional parties. Brancati argues that the negative effects typically associated ...
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This chapter elaborates on the argument regarding how the effect of decentralization on intrastate conflict hinges on regional parties. Brancati argues that the negative effects typically associated with decentralization are not an effect of decentralization directly, but that of regional parties. Specifically, it argues that regional parties create regional identities, advocate legislation that is harmful to other regions and regional minorities, and also mobilize groups to engage in ethnic conflict and secessionism and support extremist organizations that engage in these activities. The chapter also establishes in this chapter a number of conditions under which regional parties are likely to stimulate conflict and secessionism, and statewide parties are likely to reduce it. The chapter further argues that decentralization, in turn, increases the strength of regional parties depending on particular features of decentralization (i.e. the proportion of legislative seats a region possesses, the number of regional legislatures in a country, the upper house election procedures, the sequencing of national and regional elections). The chapter also offers a theoretical discussion in this chapter of the origins of decentralization and regional parties, arguing that neither is simply a product of the underlying ethnolinguistic, religious, and territorial differences in a country, but have an independent effect on these differences, and on conflict and secessionism.Less
This chapter elaborates on the argument regarding how the effect of decentralization on intrastate conflict hinges on regional parties. Brancati argues that the negative effects typically associated with decentralization are not an effect of decentralization directly, but that of regional parties. Specifically, it argues that regional parties create regional identities, advocate legislation that is harmful to other regions and regional minorities, and also mobilize groups to engage in ethnic conflict and secessionism and support extremist organizations that engage in these activities. The chapter also establishes in this chapter a number of conditions under which regional parties are likely to stimulate conflict and secessionism, and statewide parties are likely to reduce it. The chapter further argues that decentralization, in turn, increases the strength of regional parties depending on particular features of decentralization (i.e. the proportion of legislative seats a region possesses, the number of regional legislatures in a country, the upper house election procedures, the sequencing of national and regional elections). The chapter also offers a theoretical discussion in this chapter of the origins of decentralization and regional parties, arguing that neither is simply a product of the underlying ethnolinguistic, religious, and territorial differences in a country, but have an independent effect on these differences, and on conflict and secessionism.
Kyle Beardsley
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780801450037
- eISBN:
- 9780801462610
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9780801450037.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This chapter examines how the mediation dilemma might play out more strongly in civil wars through a number of illustrative case studies. The case of Rwanda shows that greater vulnerability in ...
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This chapter examines how the mediation dilemma might play out more strongly in civil wars through a number of illustrative case studies. The case of Rwanda shows that greater vulnerability in intrastate conflicts, where former combatants must coexist, can make mediation particularly precarious in the long run. The Haiti case demonstrates that third parties have the potential to interfere with the mutual dependence between the governed and those governing that must exist in stable polities. The Oslo Middle East peace process shows that third parties can affect the contest for legitimacy that often occurs in civil wars and can create the incentives for spoilers to emerge. The Sri Lankan conflict reveals that the nature of insurgency can generate incentives to use mediation for insincere motives and derail any post-mediation peace. Finally, mediation in Aceh is a potential example of a case in which the bargaining environment and the mediator techniques were conducive to reaching both a short-and long-term peace.Less
This chapter examines how the mediation dilemma might play out more strongly in civil wars through a number of illustrative case studies. The case of Rwanda shows that greater vulnerability in intrastate conflicts, where former combatants must coexist, can make mediation particularly precarious in the long run. The Haiti case demonstrates that third parties have the potential to interfere with the mutual dependence between the governed and those governing that must exist in stable polities. The Oslo Middle East peace process shows that third parties can affect the contest for legitimacy that often occurs in civil wars and can create the incentives for spoilers to emerge. The Sri Lankan conflict reveals that the nature of insurgency can generate incentives to use mediation for insincere motives and derail any post-mediation peace. Finally, mediation in Aceh is a potential example of a case in which the bargaining environment and the mediator techniques were conducive to reaching both a short-and long-term peace.
Gilbert M. Khadiagala and Dimpho Motsamai
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- April 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199671656
- eISBN:
- 9780191751127
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199671656.003.0021
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Political economy analyses of intrastate conflicts have focused on the links between resource scarcities, distributional inequities, and political marginalization. As well, scholars agree that ...
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Political economy analyses of intrastate conflicts have focused on the links between resource scarcities, distributional inequities, and political marginalization. As well, scholars agree that institutions are vital in the attenuation, mediation, and mitigation of intrastate conflicts. This chapter captures the major explanations for intrastate conflicts and the institutional prescriptions to manage them. These studies include the modernization theories of the 1960s, the weak state literature of the 1980s and 1990s, and the recent theorizing on natural resources and conflicts. These studies share key assumptions about the centrality of socio-economic inequities, weak governance structures, and the availability of opportunities for groups to contest their grievances. The conclusion proposes that although civil conflicts are ending in most parts of the world, multilateral approaches and initiatives remain critical in tackling new intrastate fissures and regionalized conflicts.Less
Political economy analyses of intrastate conflicts have focused on the links between resource scarcities, distributional inequities, and political marginalization. As well, scholars agree that institutions are vital in the attenuation, mediation, and mitigation of intrastate conflicts. This chapter captures the major explanations for intrastate conflicts and the institutional prescriptions to manage them. These studies include the modernization theories of the 1960s, the weak state literature of the 1980s and 1990s, and the recent theorizing on natural resources and conflicts. These studies share key assumptions about the centrality of socio-economic inequities, weak governance structures, and the availability of opportunities for groups to contest their grievances. The conclusion proposes that although civil conflicts are ending in most parts of the world, multilateral approaches and initiatives remain critical in tackling new intrastate fissures and regionalized conflicts.
Kristen E. Boon
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- April 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199685899
- eISBN:
- 9780191765841
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199685899.003.0014
- Subject:
- Law, Public International Law, Human Rights and Immigration
Jus post bellum’s deep moral and legal associations with the humanitarian tradition have meant that predominant approaches to the concept have tended to focus on international wars and international ...
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Jus post bellum’s deep moral and legal associations with the humanitarian tradition have meant that predominant approaches to the concept have tended to focus on international wars and international actors at the expense of any deep exploration of what role jus post bellum might play in non-international or internal situations. Now that non-international armed conflicts outnumber international armed conflicts by a significant margin, it is time to reassess the scope of jus post bellum norms in cases of internal conflict. This contribution argues that some jus post bellum principles will be the same regardless of the nature of the conflict—specifically, those derived from international criminal law and human rights law. Nonetheless, this chapter argues that in areas where jus post bellum relates to rebuilding and reconstruction after non-international conflicts, it should be regulated by the principle of “bounded discretion” and show deference to local authorities.Less
Jus post bellum’s deep moral and legal associations with the humanitarian tradition have meant that predominant approaches to the concept have tended to focus on international wars and international actors at the expense of any deep exploration of what role jus post bellum might play in non-international or internal situations. Now that non-international armed conflicts outnumber international armed conflicts by a significant margin, it is time to reassess the scope of jus post bellum norms in cases of internal conflict. This contribution argues that some jus post bellum principles will be the same regardless of the nature of the conflict—specifically, those derived from international criminal law and human rights law. Nonetheless, this chapter argues that in areas where jus post bellum relates to rebuilding and reconstruction after non-international conflicts, it should be regulated by the principle of “bounded discretion” and show deference to local authorities.
Tyrone L. Groh
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- September 2019
- ISBN:
- 9781503608184
- eISBN:
- 9781503608733
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Stanford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.11126/stanford/9781503608184.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, Conflict Politics and Policy
In this chapter, the book proposes four general categories that represent the barriers that lead states to choose indirect intervention: (1) the risk of escalation, (2) a lack of domestic support, ...
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In this chapter, the book proposes four general categories that represent the barriers that lead states to choose indirect intervention: (1) the risk of escalation, (2) a lack of domestic support, (3) a lack of international support, and (4) a lack of capacity. Facing these restrictions, states must decide how much control they desire over the outcome when intervening indirectly. Further, the chapter suggests that proxy war is only one means of indirectly intervening in the affairs of another state and can be broken down into two general types: donated assistance and proxy war. Lastly, the chapter offers a new typology for proxy war (in it to win it, holding action, meddling, and feeding the chaos) and explains how the different types fit into a state’s policy to intervene in the affairs of another state.Less
In this chapter, the book proposes four general categories that represent the barriers that lead states to choose indirect intervention: (1) the risk of escalation, (2) a lack of domestic support, (3) a lack of international support, and (4) a lack of capacity. Facing these restrictions, states must decide how much control they desire over the outcome when intervening indirectly. Further, the chapter suggests that proxy war is only one means of indirectly intervening in the affairs of another state and can be broken down into two general types: donated assistance and proxy war. Lastly, the chapter offers a new typology for proxy war (in it to win it, holding action, meddling, and feeding the chaos) and explains how the different types fit into a state’s policy to intervene in the affairs of another state.
Sara Meger
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780190277666
- eISBN:
- 9780190277680
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190277666.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics, Political Economy
Building on the conceptual framework offered by this book, this chapter develops a preliminary typology of wartime sexual violence that is based on the politico-economic conditions of war. This ...
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Building on the conceptual framework offered by this book, this chapter develops a preliminary typology of wartime sexual violence that is based on the politico-economic conditions of war. This chapter uncovers specific patterns in the perpetration of sexual violence across different conflicts, which are directly related to the politico-economic determinants of the armed conflicts. While sociocultural context and individual motivations play an undeniable role, this typology focuses on the structural level to examine how the political economic determinants of war shape both the objective of the armed group and the forms and functions of sexual violence perpetrated by the group.Less
Building on the conceptual framework offered by this book, this chapter develops a preliminary typology of wartime sexual violence that is based on the politico-economic conditions of war. This chapter uncovers specific patterns in the perpetration of sexual violence across different conflicts, which are directly related to the politico-economic determinants of the armed conflicts. While sociocultural context and individual motivations play an undeniable role, this typology focuses on the structural level to examine how the political economic determinants of war shape both the objective of the armed group and the forms and functions of sexual violence perpetrated by the group.
Timothy Brook, Michael van Walt van Praag, and Miek Boltjes (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- May 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780226562629
- eISBN:
- 9780226562933
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226562933.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, Asian History
Creating a meaningful analysis of historical as well as current interpolity relations in Inner and East Asia requires using an entirely different lens than we are accustomed to. By suspending the ...
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Creating a meaningful analysis of historical as well as current interpolity relations in Inner and East Asia requires using an entirely different lens than we are accustomed to. By suspending the political and legal baggage of modern concepts of statehood, sovereignty, and independence, we achieve a better-informed assessment of assertions made in support of claims to territory, authority, and related political projects in this part of the world today. By applying this approach, conflict-resolution practitioners will be aware of how states and non-state actors deploy historical narratives to construe the past so as to justify nationalist policies and ambitions in the present, thereby excluding alternative visions of the past and hindering their ability to imagine how relations within and between states might be more effectively ordered today. The chapter offers as examples the conflicting narratives concerning the South China Sea, Preah Vihear, Arunachal Pradesh, the Senkaku Islands, and the selection of the present Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. Unblocking these sovereignty conflicts requires a major pluralistic reinterpretation of the Asian past if we are to achieve a more open understanding of the present.Less
Creating a meaningful analysis of historical as well as current interpolity relations in Inner and East Asia requires using an entirely different lens than we are accustomed to. By suspending the political and legal baggage of modern concepts of statehood, sovereignty, and independence, we achieve a better-informed assessment of assertions made in support of claims to territory, authority, and related political projects in this part of the world today. By applying this approach, conflict-resolution practitioners will be aware of how states and non-state actors deploy historical narratives to construe the past so as to justify nationalist policies and ambitions in the present, thereby excluding alternative visions of the past and hindering their ability to imagine how relations within and between states might be more effectively ordered today. The chapter offers as examples the conflicting narratives concerning the South China Sea, Preah Vihear, Arunachal Pradesh, the Senkaku Islands, and the selection of the present Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. Unblocking these sovereignty conflicts requires a major pluralistic reinterpretation of the Asian past if we are to achieve a more open understanding of the present.
