The Influence of Political Leader by Naomi Weir
Naomi Weir
2012
A central theme of this module is that conflict seemingly inspired by ethnic hates is in fact driven by the aims of political leaders. Discuss with reference to one of the ethnic wars or genocides that took place in the 20th century.
Introduction
This question asks what causes ethnic conflict, while particularly focussing on the degree to which ethnic conflict is driven by political leaders. The argument that ethnic conflict is driven by the aims of political leaders is central to the theory of Instrumentalism. Instrumentalism is based upon the notion that ethnic conflict is driven by either the relationship between economic wants – greed and grievance – or the active manipulation of ethnic identities by political leaders for their political gain.
This essay will discuss to what degree Instrumentalism is to blame for the Rwandan Genocide of
1994, focussing on the notion of the elite manipulation of the masses.
Two other theories – Constructivism and Primordialism – have also been used to explain ethnic conflict. Constructivism argues that ethnic conflict is a product of historical processes over time that result in divergent ethnic identities and hostility between them. Primordialism argues that ethnic conflict stems from ‘ancient hatreds’ between ethnic groups and that frustration comes with differences in ‘natural ties’ that derive from religious, racial, or regional connections. It is important to note that Primordialism has been widely discredited, and that the line between Constructivism and Instrumentalism is not always clear. To address these theories, the essay will first look at the arguments proposed by Primordialism before addressing the arguments proposed by
Instrumentalism and Constructivism. This essay will argue that the conflict in Rwanda is a result of both elite manipulation and historical processes, thus fitting into both Instrumentalist and
Constructivist theories.
Rwanda and Primordialism
1
2012
A central theme of this module is that conflict seemingly inspired by ethnic hates is in fact driven by the aims of political leaders. Discuss with reference to one of the ethnic wars or genocides that took place in the 20th century.
Introduction
This question asks what causes ethnic conflict, while particularly focussing on the degree to which ethnic conflict is driven by political leaders. The argument that ethnic conflict is driven by the aims of political leaders is central to the theory of Instrumentalism. Instrumentalism is based upon the notion that ethnic conflict is driven by either the relationship between economic wants – greed and grievance – or the active manipulation of ethnic identities by political leaders for their political gain.
This essay will discuss to what degree Instrumentalism is to blame for the Rwandan Genocide of
1994, focussing on the notion of the elite manipulation of the masses.
Two other theories – Constructivism and Primordialism – have also been used to explain ethnic conflict. Constructivism argues that ethnic conflict is a product of historical processes over time that result in divergent ethnic identities and hostility between them. Primordialism argues that ethnic conflict stems from ‘ancient hatreds’ between ethnic groups and that frustration comes with differences in ‘natural ties’ that derive from religious, racial, or regional connections. It is important to note that Primordialism has been widely discredited, and that the line between Constructivism and Instrumentalism is not always clear. To address these theories, the essay will first look at the arguments proposed by Primordialism before addressing the arguments proposed by
Instrumentalism and Constructivism. This essay will argue that the conflict in Rwanda is a result of both elite manipulation and historical processes, thus fitting into both Instrumentalist and
Constructivist theories.
Rwanda and Primordialism
1