A Solution for Ethnic Conflict

The profound human devastation generated by ethnic conflict has led many scholars to seek both the source and solution to this violence. This book considers Michael Ignatieff's theory regarding ethnic conflict and applies Afghanistan as a case study. Ignatieff correlates the outbreak of ethnic vio­lence to the breakdown of state government which creates societal anarchy and war. Ignatieff argues that ethnic relations can improve through the creation of democratic institutions. Afghanistan represents a model case study to explore the central tenets of his thesis. Ignatieff's argument is critically analyzed by assessing the viability of transplanting democratic institutions into Afghanistan. Political theory states a successful democracy requires a strong economy, a vibrant civil society, an advantageous institutional history and a positive security and geopolitical environment. Based on these five key variables, it is reasonable to conclude that Afghanistan is not predisposed to pluralistic governance. Such analysis highlights the limitations of Ignatieff's thesis as his theory is only relevant to those post-conflict societies that possess the requisite preconditions for democracy. This book is addressed to academics, students, policy-makers and the interested public who seek to explore the complexities of fostering demo­cratic governance in a post-conflict society.