Remake of Intermediary Steps to Violence by Elizabeth Wright

Living at peace with neighbors, differences a source of curiosity and pride.

ewright5_18 — 2024-05-02 17:32:18 UTC

Distrust

ewright5_18 — 2024-05-02 17:32:18 UTC

In the Cypress Conflict, historical grievances, unresolved issues, and political instability would contribute to a shift from peaceful coexistence to distrust among neighbors. Ethnic nationalism, territorial disputes, and external influences further heighten tensions, emphasize differences, and promote narratives of victimhood. Social segregation and propaganda campaigns would continue to deepen the divide by limiting interaction and creating fear and suspicion. The presence of divided cities would create physical separation, lowering opportunities for peace and reuniting. Addressing these factors through dialogue would be crucial for the rebuilding of trust and to sustain peace, without it, people will move from living at peace with their neighbors to a level of distrust among each other.

Dehumanization

ewright5_18 — 2024-05-02 17:32:18 UTC

With the Cyprus conflict, the distrust between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can escalate into dehumanization through many factors. One factor is territorial disputes, one big one is the division of the island between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots with both sides seeing each other as a threat to their territorial claims. Another one is the Historical Grievances, there has been a long standing narrative of victimization on both sides. Each Side can gain distrust and resentment which leads to dehumanization from the opposing groups.

Organization

ewright5_18 — 2024-05-02 17:32:18 UTC

The origins of the Cyprus conflict stemmed from long-held ethnic divisions and hatred between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. This "us vs them" mentality fostered an environment of dehumanization, where each side viewed the other as a threat or lesser being. Segregated living, inflammatory rhetoric from leaders, and a lack of overarching national unity fueled these biases. As tensions escalated, the arming of biased militias provided the organized military capabilities to turn dehumanizing views into violent conflict once hostilities erupted. The drift from dehumanization to organized warfare was fueled by ethnic nationalism forming into militarized sections willing to battle the perceived "other."

Casual violence of the 'Other'

ewright5_18 — 2024-05-02 17:32:18 UTC

The environment of dehumanization, segregation, and historical animosity between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities set the stage for organizations to resort to casual violence. As militias started arming up on both sides, they had the weapons actually to carry out violence they now saw as justified against an enemy. When the conflict grew and the law broke down, these armed militias could casually attack the other ethnic group they no longer saw as human. A sense that no one would stop them and let the violence happen more easily. Years of being apart and hearing hateful things made casual violence against the "other side" possible