Ethnicity and globalisation : on the significance of ethnical categories in countries undergoing transition
- During the 1990s, ethnic conflict and war placed tremendous strain on a number of countries undergoing transition in Eastern and South Eastern Europe. The reasons for these conflicts can be better understood by examining the history of these countries and their ethnic groups. This paper tries to find out why this kind of conflict has arisen during transition, taking into account the fact that the affected states are now subject to globalisation processes to an unprecedented extent. The study begins with an overview of the ways in which the term ethnicity has been used in the past, and discusses several theoretical approaches to explaining ethnic conflict. Socially relevant aspects of the new critical cultural geography may also be of use. The paper concludes that a qualified, constructivist ethnicity concept could provide a better explanation of the complex phenomenon of ethnically influenced politics and ethnic conflict. The paper also discusses the process of globalisation, as this can contribute additional perspectives as well asDuring the 1990s, ethnic conflict and war placed tremendous strain on a number of countries undergoing transition in Eastern and South Eastern Europe. The reasons for these conflicts can be better understood by examining the history of these countries and their ethnic groups. This paper tries to find out why this kind of conflict has arisen during transition, taking into account the fact that the affected states are now subject to globalisation processes to an unprecedented extent. The study begins with an overview of the ways in which the term ethnicity has been used in the past, and discusses several theoretical approaches to explaining ethnic conflict. Socially relevant aspects of the new critical cultural geography may also be of use. The paper concludes that a qualified, constructivist ethnicity concept could provide a better explanation of the complex phenomenon of ethnically influenced politics and ethnic conflict. The paper also discusses the process of globalisation, as this can contribute additional perspectives as well as spatially differentiated knowledge of the significance of economic, social and political structures and national and supranational institutions for different ethnic groups and their living conditions. The paper concludes by offering suggestions for reducing or preventing ethnic conflict…
