Civil War and Ethnic Conflict in Post-Soviet Moldova – the Cases of Gagauzia and Transnistria compared

Research Paper (postgraduate) , 2003 , 29 Pages , Grade: A

Politics - Region: Russia

This text discusses some of the reasons for ethnic conflicts in Post-Soviet Moldova and compares the unsolved case of Transnistria with the case of the rather unknown Gagauzia which equally aimed for secession from Moldova.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Reasons and Triggers of the two Conflicts
  • Gagauzia
  • Transnistria
• Why did the Conflict end in Gagauzia and not end as yet in Transnistria?
  • Moldova in the 1990s
  • The Settlement of the Gagauzian Conflict
  • The Unsolved Transnistrian Conflict
  • Possible Solutions
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This research paper analyzes the reasons and triggers of the ethnic conflicts in the post-Soviet Republic of Moldova, specifically focusing on the cases of Gagauzia and Transnistria. The paper investigates why the conflict in Gagauzia ended peacefully while the conflict in Transnistria remains unresolved despite similar starting points. The paper argues that the differences in group capabilities, rather than the initial causes, significantly influence the outcomes of such conflicts.

• The impact of Soviet national legacies on ethnic conflicts in post-Soviet states
• The role of group capabilities in shaping the dynamics and outcomes of conflicts
• The influence of external actors, particularly Russia, in sustaining or resolving conflicts
• The interplay of political, economic, and social factors in shaping the course of ethnic conflicts
• The challenges of finding lasting solutions to unresolved ethnic conflicts

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The Introduction provides a brief overview of the post-Soviet ethnic conflicts, highlighting the cases of Gagauzia and Transnistria in Moldova. It presents the main argument of the paper: the importance of group capabilities in determining conflict outcomes.
• The chapter on Reasons and Triggers of the two Conflicts examines the historical and political context of the conflicts in Gagauzia and Transnistria, exploring the roots of ethnic tensions and the immediate events that triggered violence.
• The chapter on Why did the Conflict end in Gagauzia and not end as yet in Transnistria? delves into the differing trajectories of the two conflicts. It explores the role of Moldova's political landscape in the 1990s, analyzes the peace negotiations in Gagauzia, and examines the reasons for the ongoing impasse in Transnistria. This chapter also discusses potential solutions to the Transnistrian conflict.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key words and focus topics of this paper include ethnic conflict, post-Soviet states, Moldova, Gagauzia, Transnistria, group capabilities, external actors, Russia, political settlement, peacebuilding, unresolved conflicts.

• College: Central European University Budapest (Department of Political Science)
• Course: Civil War and Ethnic Conflict
• Grade: A
• Author: Maximilian Spinner (Author)
• Publication Year: 2003
• Pages: 29
• Catalog Number: V13303
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638189927
• ISBN (Book): 9783638642828
• Language: English
• Tags: Moldavien, Moldawien, Moldova, Moldavia, Transnistrien, Transnistria, Transdnjestr, Gagauzien, Gagauzia, ethnischer Konflikt, ethnic conflict, Bürgerkrieg, civil war, GUS, CIS, autonomy, Kishinev, Ti