Understanding the dynamics of ethnonationalist contention: political mobilization, resistance and violence in Nagorno-Karabakh and Northern Ireland
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This thesis analyzes the dynamics of ethnic conflict evolution,
mobilization and radicalization with a focus on Nagorno-Karabakh
(1987–1992) and Northern Ireland (early 1960s–1969). It concentrates
upon the periods when intersocietal communication was gradually being
reinterpreted and reshaped on an ethnic basis, which also became
increasingly crucial to public discourse. I argue that many of the
weaknesses of the existing interpretations of these conflicts arise from an
absolutization of single theoretical and methodological approaches. This
study utilizes a synthesis of the literatures on ethnic conflict, social
movements, collective action and nationalism. The perspective offered
in this research sees nationalist activity as embedded in cultural contexts,
social networks and intersubjective relations of reciprocity. I stress that
the understanding of these dimensions is crucial to account for temporal
evolution within and variation across nationalist movements. Securing
the success of a specific nationalist agenda requires operating in an
interdependent field of rival strategies of legitimation. The study also
highlights unintended consequences in the trajectory of conflict
development. Many academic accounts approach this subject from the
point of view of one of the respective communities without recognizing
the value of alternative conceptualizations. This study systematically
examines the interactions, perceptions and attitudes of the main parties
to the conflicts in question avoiding one-sided and often static
interpretations.
The thesis builds on extensive documentary and press material,
archival research and over 50 semi-structured interviews. New empirical
evidence presented here casts doubt on strong versions of the ‘ethnic
entrepreneurship’ literature by emphasizing the fact that the connection
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between developments on the ground and elite conduct was not purely
automatic, and drawing attention to the symbolic repertoires, selfperceptions,
categorizations and ideas that feed into the collective
representation of the nation. I suggest that the constraints facing elites
within each ethnic bloc, as well as ‘external’ (state) leaders, are built into
the process of ethnic contestation. Overall, the thesis makes a strong
case for greater attention to the limits of elite flexibility in sustaining
uniform group preferences, freely opting for the path of compromise
and/or (constitutional) reform.
Authors
Voronkova, AnastasiaCollections
- Theses [3824]