Two journals recommended for use are: Nationalism and Ethnic Politics and Nationalism

Essay
Compare conflicting ethnic groups from two nation-states. Examine differences and similarities between countries in order to analyze theoretical issues relevant to question posed below. The essay should be 2500 words in length including footnotes. You should cite material provided in this unit; examine recent journal articles and books, and analyse government and media sources. Begin your essay now! Download appropriate sources in bibliographies from the textbook and reader. Use Twitter and Facebook to locate methodological and related sites.

Sources taken from 2014 are highly rewarded. Using thirty sources is sufficient.

Essays will include the following:
1) A brief description of the conflicts, comparison of evolution in the past few years.
2) An examination of similarities and differences using comparison for theoretical purposes.
3) A critical analysis of competing theoretical approaches to your subject.
4) A clear answer to the question posed.

Essay Questions
Using two deeply divided examine one of the following questions:

1) How does the experience of colonialism impact on deeply divided societies? Analyze this relationship through an examination of contemporary identity politics.

2) Examine the concept of the “deadly ethnic riot” used to describe one form of conflict in deeply divided societies. Are these riots the result of ethnic mobilization or spontaneous factors?

3) How does civic nationalism shape ethnic nationalism and identities within “migrant countries”? Is this a growing problem?

4) Why does violent ethnic conflict arise in a society where ethnic groups have previously lived in peace?

5) How do elites influence their ethnic communities to use violence? What are the limits of elite influence?

6) Why do ethnic conflicts break out in some, but not other, deeply divided societies? Which factors play a role?

7) How successful is external mediation in solving ethnic in deeply divided societies? What are the barriers to external mediation?

8) Outline the conditions of external versus internal influences on deeply divided societies? Do external factors, such as global trade or security alliances, create violence in deeply divided societies?

9) Why do dispute resolutions differ between deeply divided societies? Can this be explained culturally?

10) Outline the benefits and costs of a solution to ethnic conflict based on consociational democracy. Does this solution work in some cases but not others?

11) Does ethnicity affect the international system or does the international system affect ethnicity?

12) What conditions strengthen or diminish ethnic identification?

13) What conditions foster or inhibit the transformation of ethnic identification into nationalist movements?

14) Why does a lack of consensus on procedures for decision-making and contested legitimacy in some locales result in ethnic violence only to be followed by a form of ethnic peace?

15) Does devolution prevent secessionist claims?

16) What are the electoral incentives for the ethnic violence?