Factors Determining Ethnic Conflict and Models for Resolving Conflicts among Involved Groups - Essay Example

For my paper, the question of interest was, “What are the causes of ethnic conflict?” It stemmed from the position that there are multiple factors that cause this problem, which in themselves are context-specific and multi-dimensional in nature. For this purpose, I sought to answer several questions, including What are the factors that determine ethnic conflict?

I have used the qualitative method for this project. Specifically, I have chosen to employ descriptive research, which is a derivative of the exploratory qualitative model. This approach involves the observational research design with the data collected as they exist without any manipulation of the variables involved.

In order to answer the research questions, I have gathered information from prior works and published sources. In this respect, the study could also be considered a form of systematic literature review in the sense that research materials are collected, evaluated, and analyzed for purposes of interpretation. All in all, the study collected scholarly sources in order to answer the research question. The materials were used in order to gain knowledge and solution.

Ethnic conflicts emerge out of a combination of resource and environmental, socio-economic, cultural, institutional, and political factors. The inability of a state’s political institutions to function effectively causes ethnic conflicts. This supposedly makes the state incapable to manage the interests of different groups of people. Current developments and studies on these trends show that global and political developments have bearings on ethnic conflict and the degree of violence involved because these phenomena constrain the nation-states’ capability to act. Another case involves foreign intervention (i.e with respect to governance).

This could lead to dissatisfaction and violence when the opposing side of the favored group feels marginalized and disadvantaged by the intervention. Social conflict often stems from poverty, the absence of social cohesion, exclusion, and marginalization.