The field of conflict studies used to be dominated by the search for causes, however, such grand theories striving for universal laws often cannot properly account for the complex circumstances of long duration/low intensity of contemporary civil wars. The interpretative, micro-political turn in conflict studies further contributed to understand conflicts such as the intractable conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This essay aims to illustrate the contributions and shortcomings of the respective debates, with regard to the intractability and low intensity of contemporary civil conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The case of the DRC will be used as exemplary case, whereas I start by laying out the framework of the conflict and briefly address the challenges of understanding conflict. I continue by elaborating on the greed vs. grievance debate, further focus on group inequalities and contrast it to the debate of identity and conflict. Subsequently, I will use this as a bridge to outline the beneficial value of the state-building debate, while taking into account the embeddedness into the international system. Hence, I will illustrate how institutional explanations can be seen as counterpart to this debate, and finally refer to the significant debate about explaining violence.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction: Challenges of understanding conflict
- Economic motives, inequality and the role of identities
- At first, I want to point out the constructivist notion within the debate of how identities are constructed
- State formation and going beyond the idea of weak states
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to illustrate the contributions and shortcomings of different debates in explaining the intractability and low intensity of contemporary civil conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa, using the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a case study. The essay explores the complexities of understanding conflict, moving beyond simplistic causal explanations.
- The limitations of grand theories in explaining the long duration-low intensity nexus of civil wars.
- The greed versus grievance debate and its implications for understanding conflict persistence.
- The role of group inequalities and identities in shaping conflict dynamics.
- The significance of state-building and its relationship to conflict within the international system.
- The importance of considering epistemological and ontological assumptions in conflict analysis.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: Challenges of understanding conflict: This introductory chapter establishes the essay's central focus: examining the complexities of explaining the long duration and low intensity of contemporary civil wars in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the DRC. It critiques the limitations of grand theories seeking universal laws, highlighting the shift towards interpretative, micro-political approaches that better account for the intricate circumstances of these conflicts. The chapter also introduces the challenges inherent in understanding conflict, including the issues of multiple and evolving causes, the difficulty in establishing causality, and the problematic nature of simplistic framing which often reduces the complexity of the situation for policy and funding purposes. The author briefly discusses ontological and epistemological assumptions that underpin conflict analysis and will shape their approach.
Economic motives, inequality and the role of identities: This chapter delves into the "greed versus grievance" debate, acknowledging the significant influence of economic factors in the DRC conflict, often framed as a resource conflict. While the rational actor perspective, exemplified by Collier's work, offers partial explanations for the conflict's duration through the profitability of resource looting and a lack of alternatives, the chapter critiques its limitations in fully accounting for the conflict's origins and intractability. It argues that while economic factors contribute to persistence, grievances may have provided the initial opportunity for conflict. The chapter then shifts to an interpretative perspective, emphasizing the significance of horizontal (group) inequalities over individual inequalities and the crucial role of identity groups in shaping conflict participation. The importance of addressing data quality issues relating to inequalities is highlighted, as well as the need for inclusionary practices in political and socio-economic dimensions to alleviate conflict.
At first, I want to point out the constructivist notion within the debate of how identities are constructed: This section critically examines the role of identity in conflict, exploring both constructivist and primordialist perspectives. It challenges the sufficiency of both approaches in fully explaining the long duration and low intensity of conflicts. While acknowledging the constructivist notion of identities as socially constructed and the potential for limited choice, the chapter argues that this framework alone doesn't sufficiently explain the persistence of conflicts. Similarly, the primordialist understanding of inherent identities fails to account for the long duration. The chapter explores the usefulness of constructivist approaches in understanding complex alliances but also highlights the limitations in solely focusing on ethnic identities to fully explain intractability. The discussion of "imaginative geographies of conflict" and the importance of interpretative approaches using methods such as counter-mapping emphasizes how adopting a more critical lens can uncover factors contributing to the persistence of conflict that might be overlooked with a purely Western perspective.
State formation and going beyond the idea of weak states: This chapter analyzes the concept of "new wars" and their connection to globalization, highlighting how changes in warfare methods and financing contribute to the intractability of conflicts. It discusses the critique of a mismatch between the complexity of conflict analysis and the simplicity of policy responses, particularly concerning state-building initiatives. The chapter examines the tension between the positive effects of global interconnectedness on intervention and state-building and the potential for neo-imperial practices that undermine the goals of the affected states. The analysis emphasizes the importance of considering the embeddedness of conflicts within the international system and integrates both positivist and critical interpretive perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of the consequences of interventions and actions within the global system, moving beyond simply identifying measurable facts to considering the broader implications.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Contemporary civil wars, Sub-Saharan Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, conflict studies, intractability, low intensity conflict, greed versus grievance, group inequalities, identity, state-building, globalization, new wars, interpretative approaches, constructivism, positivism, epistemology, ontology.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this essay?
The essay examines the complexities of explaining the long duration and low intensity of contemporary civil wars in Sub-Saharan Africa, using the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a case study. It critiques simplistic causal explanations and explores the limitations of grand theories in understanding these conflicts.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include: the limitations of grand theories; the "greed versus grievance" debate; the role of group inequalities and identities; the significance of state-building; and the importance of considering epistemological and ontological assumptions in conflict analysis. The essay also investigates the impact of globalization and the concept of "new wars" on conflict dynamics.
What are the limitations of grand theories in explaining long-duration, low-intensity conflicts?
The essay argues that grand theories often fail to account for the intricate and context-specific factors contributing to the persistence of these conflicts. It highlights the need for more nuanced, interpretative approaches that consider the interplay of economic, social, and political factors.
How does the essay address the "greed versus grievance" debate?
The essay acknowledges the influence of economic factors, particularly resource looting, but critiques the limitations of solely focusing on "greed" as an explanation. It emphasizes the role of grievances, particularly horizontal inequalities and the importance of identity groups in shaping conflict participation.
What is the role of identity in the DRC conflict?
The essay explores both constructivist and primordialist perspectives on identity. It argues that neither approach fully explains the conflict's persistence and emphasizes the importance of considering the social construction of identities and the influence of "imaginative geographies of conflict."
What is the significance of state-building in the context of the DRC conflict?
The essay examines the challenges of state-building in the context of "new wars" and globalization. It highlights the tension between positive effects of global interconnectedness and the potential for neo-imperial practices that undermine the goals of state-building initiatives.
What methodological approaches does the essay employ?
The essay integrates both positivist and critical interpretive perspectives, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding. It emphasizes the importance of considering ontological and epistemological assumptions in shaping the research approach.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction sets the stage, highlighting the complexities of understanding conflict. The following chapters delve into economic motives, the role of identities (constructivist and primordialist perspectives), and the limitations of state-building initiatives, emphasizing the need for nuanced and context-specific approaches to conflict analysis.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words include: Contemporary civil wars, Sub-Saharan Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, conflict studies, intractability, low intensity conflict, greed versus grievance, group inequalities, identity, state-building, globalization, new wars, interpretative approaches, constructivism, positivism, epistemology, ontology.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay?
The essay concludes that understanding the long duration and low intensity of conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa requires moving beyond simplistic explanations and embracing more nuanced, context-specific approaches that incorporate economic, social, political, and identity-based factors, while acknowledging the limitations of both positivist and constructivist perspectives and critically engaging with the complexities of global interventions.
- Quote paper
- Kai-Uwe Ratheiser (Author), 2017, Conflicting Theories in Conflict, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/385616
