Evolutionary theory and ethnic conflict / edited by Patrick James and David Goetze.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

James, Patrick, 1957-

Goetze, David, 1949-

Series:

Praeger studies on ethnic and national identities in politics.

Praeger studies on ethnic and national identities in politics, 1527-9901

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ethnic conflict.

Ethnicity--Political aspects.

Ethnicity.

Nationalism.

Social evolution.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (276 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

James and Goetze bring together contributors of varied backgrounds, ranging from evolutionary theorists to game theorists to analysts of specific ethnic conflict. Their work represents a coherent attempt at evaluating the usefulness of evolutionary theories for explaining ethnic phenomena and demonstrates how these theories can be applied in attempts to elucidate real-world behaviors. This study found that kinship theory that posits evolved dispositions to form cooperative bonds with family, ethnic groups and other social groups may go a long way in accounting for the formation of ethnic groups. Also, ingroup-outgroup theory may contribute to understanding how group conflict commences. Likewise, the description of evolved mechanisms for discerning threat, for building reputations, and for recognizing individuals, groups, and states as possible cooperators and long-term allies may facilitate explanation of the outbreak and avoidance of group conflicts. This also may explain the design of conscious strategies for conflict prevention and resolution. Nonetheless, several contributors take a more critical stance and offer ample reason why building these explanations may prove elusive or at least troublesome given the complex character of human societies. This work is a provocative resource for scholars, students, and other researchers involved with ethnicity and ethnic conflict, international relations, social psychology, and social anthropology.

Contents:

Contents; Preface; Part I EVOLUTIONARY THEORY AND ETHNIC CONFLICT; Chapter 1 What Can Evolutionary Theory Say About Ethnic Phenomena? David Goetze and Patrick James; Chapter 2 The Roots of Ethnic Conflict: An Evolutionary Perspective Gary R. Johnson; Chapter 3 A Defense and an Extension of Pierre van den Berghe's Theory of Ethnic Nepotism Frank Salter; Chapter 4 Contributions of Evolutionary Thinking to Theories of Ethnic Conflict and Its Management Marc Howard Ross; Part II SKEPTICAL VIEWS

Chapter 5 From Ontology to Analogy: Evolutionary Theories and the Explanation of Ethnic Politics Robert HislopeChapter 6 Primordialism, Evolutionary Theory, and the Timing of Ethnic Conflict: Opportunities and Constraints for Theory and Policy Frank Harvey; Chapter 7 Evolution, Ethnicity, and Propaganda: Why Negotiating with the Innocent Makes Sense Kristan J. Wheaton; Part III APPLICATIONS; Chapter 8 National Identity in the Balkans: Confessionalism to Nationalism Peter Mentzel

Chapter 9 Regionalism and Evolutionary Theory in the Former Soviet Union: Russian Kaliningrad, 1991- 2000 Joel C. MosesChapter 10 Evolutionary Models, Third-Party Intervention, and Ethnic Conflict: Does Tough Love Really Work? David Carment and Dane Rowlands; Chapter 11 An Evolutionary Approach Toward the Drafting of Autonomy Agreements: Applying Theory to Reality in the Search for Resolution of Ethnic Conflict Michael Patrick Tkacik; Bibliography; Index; About the Contributors

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [234]-365) and index.

ISBN:

9780313074677

0313074674

OCLC:

697598077