Week 3 Additional Resources by

ASHUTOSH VARSHNEY

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-13 09:21:33 UTC

ETHNIC CONFLICT AND CIVIL SOCIETY India and Beyond

World Politics

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-13 09:21:58 UTC

World Politics / Volume 53 / Issue 03 / April 2001, pp 362-398
Copyright © Trustees of Princeton University 2001

Conflict in Cities - Jerusalem

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-13 09:22:46 UTC

full panel discussion for week 3

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-13 09:29:19 UTC

Culture and belonging in Divided Societites

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-13 09:29:34 UTC

The Belfast Peace Wall Flickr group

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-13 09:29:54 UTC

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 14:08:13 UTC

I recently watched '5 Broken Cameras' - about protests from a West Bank village about the West Bank barrier affecting their farms, their land and their movement. Again a weekly protest, filmed by a farmer - each camera telling part of the story over a five year period. Eventually, the farmer was joined by an Israeli co-director pulling together the film for release - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Broken_Cameras The farmer originally bought his camera to film his son - I found the filming of family and community very powerful, making the issues around conflict all too real

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 14:09:27 UTC

there are interesting ways in which attempts have been made to 'rebrand' Belfast since the Good Friday Agreement. This article by Steve Baker explores some of the issues with this process.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 14:20:39 UTC

Personal interests are a big contributor to the conflicts and divisions we are seeing in the world today. I will give an example of Southern Sudan massacre

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 14:20:54 UTC

Personal interests are a big contributor to the conflicts and divisions we are seeing in the world today. I will give an example of Southern Sudan massacre

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 14:42:05 UTC

Just came from a lecture that used statistics from the Northern Ireland Life and Time Survey, about NI identity and how people self-identify. In the most recent census (2011) 40% surveyed identified as British, 25% as Irish, 21% as Northern Irish (the first time this category was given), 2 or more 9%, other 5%.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:07:20 UTC

'Tapestry of Colours' is a portrait of the migrant community in Northern Ireland.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:25:24 UTC

Where I live (Manchester) people there are almost 90% more people with a level 4 qualification than a degree:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:25:39 UTC

Division may arise from a lack of willingness to communicate or attend voluntary dispute resolution arbitration as an alternative to going to court. For more detailed information of arbitration:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:26:47 UTC

The relationship between inequality, conflict and violence is a very interesting and sometimes vexing one. In this paper, Chris Cramer explores this relationship, and argues that inequality does not simply or automatically lead to violence.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:26:55 UTC

It interestingly probes how social inequality and the lack of other avenues through which to channel grievances about it, as perceived by the rioters themselves, contributed to causing the London Riots of Summer 2011.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:27:31 UTC

Recently there was this huge discussion in Britain about the class divide as a survey reveal a structure of 7 classes

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:28:01 UTC

Many divisions in society there today still seem to run along racial lines. Here's a blog post about some of my observations there, as an outsider, a couple of years ago:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:30:06 UTC

The discussion about (not) flying a flag just reminded me of the communist times when at certain public holidays we had to put up in the windows the Soviet flag next to the Czechoslovak one. Many did it with more or less reluctance because they were expected to do so. Not displaying the soviet flag was a sort of private revolt with or without consequences (depending f.e. on your neighbours). It´s depicted in a great and funny way in the film Kolya:

Louka:
I'm a coward. Last year... I didn't give a damn and it was okay.
But we mustn't give them any excuse now we're in the shit.

Kolya: [ Russian ]: Ours, yours.

Louka: What did you say?

Kolya: [ Russian ]: Ours. Yours.

Louka: So you can understand when you want to.
The thing is, we put up your flag because we have to.
Once we put it up in gratitude.
But that was before we realized that you Russians are scoundrels.

You understand? No, you don't.

You're expansionists! Wherever you march you stay.
But not you, you'll go back to your aunt.

The moment she gets better I'll pack your chemodan and you'll be off.

Kolya: [ Russian ] ''Chemodan.''

Louka: That's all the Russian I know, because they stole mine in Moscow.
You steal suitcases and other people's land.

Kolya: [ Russian ] Ours is red.
(EB: Krasnyj - means "red" in Russian, while "krásný" in Czech means "beautifull")

Louka: What's so beautiful about it? It's red like your underpants.
Now ours is beautiful.

Kolya: - [ Russian ] Ours is red. (krasnyj)

Louka: - You don't understand a thing.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:30:52 UTC

Flag waving is governed by the planning regulations in the UK. In England Statutory Instrument 2372, The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 polices flag pole, gradient of flag paraphernalia and conservation areas too. Note the flags include environmental flags such as Green Flag Community Award Scheme:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:32:31 UTC

In England there are many regulations pertaining to The Town and Country Planning:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:34:32 UTC

In England there are many regulations pertaining to The Town and Country Planning and this system is different to NI system:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:34:47 UTC

if you follow the links you will come to know how communal riots displace people from their homes and create new refuge camps. These riots are infused by the politicians and the common man suffers. Not only in India but every where in the world we observe community discrimination due to which the humanity suffers.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:35:01 UTC

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:35:18 UTC

Christopher Catherwood's "Churchill's Folly: How Winston Churchill Created Modern Iraq"

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:35:58 UTC

Interesting book, ‘Conflict in Cities’ though the images could be of any town conurbation, in which its community is severed from others.
Office for National Statistics produces information upon deprivation:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:36:04 UTC

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:36:58 UTC

Perhaps in terms of contestation in the UK, London becomes the primary focus of attention for the mobilization of people against the state or companies, as this is the centre of the political system and the economy in many ways. London becomes almost a country in itself, directing all the contestation towards itself. Interestingly Evan Davis, who presents Dragons Den in the UK, recently presented a fascinating programme on the BBC recently about such divisions, primarily in regards the economic rate at which London is expanding yet in its wake is leaving the rest of the UK is falling behind. It provided really interesting insights and some of discussions surrounding the programme highlighted the political implications of this reality and how it was that London had become an urban centre of political, social and economic contestation for the rest of the UK. Information on the programme, 'Mind the Gap - London and the Rest' can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03xp6x7 unfortunately the programme itself is no longer available on Iplayer.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:37:29 UTC

In Cape Town, Klipfontein Road is a busy main road, going through different communities, which were segregated during Apartheid. A short description of the road and the areas it links can be found here:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:37:39 UTC

On Mandela Day 2013, people formed a human chain along the road, showing its symbolic importance. Archbishop Thabo Makgoba attended and wrote about the experience. He said:
"In the bad old days [Klipfontein Road] was like a thread, on which sat three separate beads, of white Rondebosch, coloured Athlone, and black Gugulethu. Three different communities, each at a distinct distance from one another. On Mandela Day, Klipfontein Road became something else – an artery that connects our lives with our neighbours, as we stood together, hand in hand and arm in arm, united in our diversity."
His full article is here:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:37:50 UTC

I am at this moment watching on BBC i-player a programme on the iconoclasm of the French Revolution and the importance of statues and other symbols in public spaces. Probably only available in UK and until 11th June at

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-15 15:45:55 UTC

Not specific to urban areas but as it is on my mind I will post here a link to one of the most memorable documentaries i have seen. It is called 'the 5 Steps to Tyranny' and is a wake-up call as it shows how easy it is to be subconsciously part of a group, manipulated and prejudiced.

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-19 09:56:26 UTC

I believe that as humans we fear the unknown. If we do not understand something we tend to become apprehensive. Once educated about other religions, cultures, traditions, values, etc. we become more understanding and less fearful of "others". Once barriers have been broken and we utilize collaborative learning techniques there will be less sense of being threatened by "the other." Even people from very extremely backgrounds can begin to relate once they dedicate a little time to learning about one other. Not to mention, many governments and media outlets instal a sense of panic and fear against minorities or "the others"; i.e. the United States incarceration rates:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-19 10:11:52 UTC

I have actually done more work with Roma communities than Traveller communities.However, a good site to keep up with news and cases concerning Travellers is the Traveller Solidarity Network:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-19 10:48:03 UTC

My heroes are the people of East Germany who demonstrated how a revolution can be peaceful. It was a very slow, quiet revolution born out of desperation. The Monday (evening constitutionals) demonstrations centered around a church:

conflict_moocs — 2014-05-19 11:09:47 UTC

"Negative peace" and the "absence of violence" should give us the space to breathe and to think! Belfast is still a "City in Transition".

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:30:51 UTC

Here is the youtube link for anyone interested in watching the film.

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:32:42 UTC

We can add another country to those mentioned by Sam Pherson: Romania. Fortunately there are no violent conflicts yet between the state and the Szekler community, but thing are evolving in the wrong direction, as the authorities are refusing all kind of dialogue with the szeklers.
Szeklerland is a region right in the middle of the country, part of Transylvania, which formerly was part of the Hungarian kingdom. But even in those times, Szeklerland was an autonomous region, with its own organization and way of living. The szeklers have a strong identity, and even after 95 years of romanian domination, they form more than 75% of the population of the region and claim for autonomy. More about this issue here: www.sznt.ro
In the last years this autonomous movement is becoming stronger and stronger, there we demonstration with tenth of thousands of participant, and even a great march with more than 120.000 participants. The problem is - as mentioned - that the authorities refuse the dialogue, and I am afraid, that sooner or later this will lead to violence.

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:33:29 UTC

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:34:18 UTC

divisions can vary in size and form and are prevalent all over the place! be it a clique in school or other socially significant issues like race, gender or class. I'm taking an example unique to India when i bring about caste as a means of social division and the importance that's laid down behind it over here. This has lead unto monstrous proportions in terms of conflict even in modern India so far as to bring in problems like honour killings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_killing ) caste here becomes an integral form of division. Religion maybe the macrospectacle but caste is weighed just as much importance if not more. even so much as talking about inter-caste marriages can stir up an uproar in most families. i find it prettypeculiar. I believe that maybe conflict here arises out of emotions attached to these divisions. with associating the out-group with shame, disgust or regarding them inferior. When bound with such notions in a heavily traditional society people are moved to grow with a sense of spite for the other. Being from a Brahmin family of south india i myself see how hugely this influences the view of our community on various aspects of life.

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:34:59 UTC

In my city there are many neighbourhoods with distinct identities, and a big gap between rich and poor geographically, with people in the North of the City being significantly wealthier, and having nicer houses and streets and public services than those in the East and South of the City.

The neighbourhoods also divide by race, if you know someones ethnic background, education, accent and social economic status, it is easy to guess where in the city they grew up.

Within neighbourhoods there are also conflicting identities, for example my area is known for being multicultural and creative and also significantly deprived. However within the area there are bubbles, which have to be actively bridged. We have a large Somali population, a white working class population and an alternative/somewhat hippy group of people and then people descended from migrants mostly from Asia, Africa and new migrants, including asylum seekers, refugees and those from Eastern Europe. It is a fascinating place to live, but many places, for example cafes tend to be used by particular groups, e.g. African men or White mums.

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:35:47 UTC

who should care what a such retrograde and historically anachronistic organisation as the Orange Order do, in another few generations, with luck, they will have finished fading away and just be a footnote, Rangers will go bankrupt again and also vanish, ex service men will still be 'British' ex service men and can use whatever flag matches , the red duster if they are from the navy for instance but they will gradually be swamped by ex service men from the Scottish 'defence force' and the flag will eventually become that of the Scottish nation ...
... or maybe the new political leaders will be of a nervous disposition and use dictate or even law to establish that the Scottish flag whatever it is is flown alongside the Royal standard everywhere if the proposal to keep the monarchy stands .... personally I quite like the lion rampant of the ancient Scottish Royal Standard, if you want one with some history behind it

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:36:31 UTC

example of republic of cyprus flag used in the north within the turkish republic of northern cyprus boundaries and how this has threatened the state in the north:

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:38:37 UTC

These clips show how protesters are treated in Turkey at the moment.

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:38:39 UTC

These clips show how protesters are treated in Turkey at the moment.

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:39:48 UTC

I have found this really interesting video on YouTube on the the division in Belfast and I recommend watching this BBC documentary from the 12th July in Ardoyne - it will explain a lot to anyone who doesn't know about the Marching Season and the flute bands.

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:42:09 UTC

Switzerland is interesting as 25% of the workforce is from outside the country
http://www.swissworld.org/en/economy/workers_and_jobs/foreign_workers/
Thus while there is a inherent language divide within the native population, this population tends to be united by greater affluence and opportunity, with traditionally more poorly paid jobs being performed by foreign guest workers. So long as they are temporary immigrants they are less likely to engage in protest… let alone violence ..against the system.

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:42:19 UTC

I was just reading an article yesterday that spoke about how the Swiss government is looking to lower or restrict immigration due to increase crime etc... I guess it wasn't dealing with "temporary" immigrants

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:42:20 UTC

I'm a Swiss citizen and I'm sometimes so ashamed, but every citizen of the 'developped' countries might be sometimes ashamed of what is happening...
In my former art faculty in France, I've been by a professor who said I was a 'marxist' because I simply said, as we read his texts, that I wasn't always as optimistic as the writer Edouard Glissant, http://www.france24.com/en/20100417-globalisation-glissant-edouard-poetry-obama-usa/ who is a poet. I had been the all day in Marseille, which is an important French harbour, seing beggers from all over the world sitting with kids in the middle of rubbish, etc. I know it also sometimes a representation, but...

In my view, many Swiss politicians, nowadays, underestimate what is happeing in my country in matter of violence and discrimination. When I come back from Italy or South of France, my former friends don't want to speak with me, or only about beaches, touristic landscapes, hollydays, olive oil, pines, sun, Pompei... and no word about immigrants, the crisis, etc. They don't care anymore, and sometimes they are left-wing politicians as my father - now dead - had a anti-colonialist bookshop... But all seem me so gentrified.

These are classical examples of how Switzerland reinforces its national identity. But we are anyway such a tiny piece of a puzzle !

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:43:09 UTC

Once again some details about Switzerland, yes, our political system is an example for many but we also face a lot of xenophobia and anti-immigration movements. In the public space (I can now remember this thanks to Futurelearn...!) we have many well-known and controversial example as the popular vote on banning the construction of minarets

These are classical examples of how Switzerland reinforces its national identity. But we are anyway such a tiny piece of a puzzle !

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:43:11 UTC

or a very controversial poster comparing for 'security' stigmatizing criminal immigrants as black sheeps...

conflict_moocs — 2014-06-09 07:44:34 UTC

The essay book, page 11, shows hope with the key symbol and introduces the Belfast Peace Wall. What’s additionally special is that there is more than one Peace Wall.
Essay book: