ETHNIC CONFLICT AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

by Stephen Ryan (second edition)

This book examines aspects of the relationship between protracted ethnic conflict within states and the international environment within which states interact. It draws on a number of examples of conflict such as the former Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka and Palestine to investigate several key issues.

After an account of why ethnic conflict has become so important in the study of international relations in the introduction, part one looks at how the interstate environment contributes to the failure of multi-ethnic states. Part two explores the destructive processes that accompany the escalation of violent ethnic conflict and sets out a model of ethnic conflict resolution based on the distinction between peace-keeping, peace-making and peace-building strategies. Part three concentrates on the record of the United nations in these three areas and includes and analysis of current UN peace-keeping work in situations of ethnic conflict. The work of the United Nations in the field of minority rights is also assessed.

Dartmouth Publishing Company Limited (1995)