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Ethnic Conflict

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Sociology · August 2000

DOI: 10.1177/S0038038500000304

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Michael Banton

University of Bristol

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Ethnic Conflict

Michael Banton

Department of Sociology

University of Bristol

a b st r ac t  

The ethnic dimension to social relations can be distinguished from dimensions

based on neighbourliness, national origin, race and religion etc., but ethnic conflicts are

not a special class of conflicts. The significance of a shared ethnic origin varies with the

location and scale of social relations. In local communities relations are multidimensional;

ties based on different attributes are balanced against one another and against individual

interests. Outside the range of personal acquaintance a shared ethnic origin may be a basis

on which individuals are mobilised for collective action and for bargaining with other

groups, though some individuals will seek to be free-riders. Mobilisers from elsewhere may

induce individuals to change their relative preference for ethnic association, destroy local

methods of dispute regulation, and so polarise relations that the participants treat their

relations with members of an opposed ethnic group as unidimensional. Outside

institutions, including foreign governments, can help resolve ethnic conflicts by providing

guarantees that facilitate ethnic bargaining.

key word s

bargaining, community, conflict, ethnicity, mobilisation, race 

A survey of ninety-two armed conflicts during the years 1945–89 concluded

that ‘the engine that powers most of the wars in today’s world is ethnic hostility’

(Brogan 1989:xi). This essay considers the two main claims in this and the many

similar generalisations: that most such conflicts are ethnic conflicts; and the

adequacy of the proposition that they are powered by a certain kind of motivation. It

offers a summary statement of one particular perspective on the issues, drawing

upon the existing literature in a necessarily selective fashion.