This book asks what distinguishes peaceful plural democracies from violent ones and what distinguishes violent ethnic groups from peaceful ones within the same democracy. Contrary to conventional wisdom, it suggests that ethnic groups and their political demands are not inherently intransigent and that violence is not a necessary corollary of ethnic politics. The book posits that ethnic identity serves as a stable but flexible information shortcut for political choices, influencing party formation and development in new and maturing democracies. It furthermore argues that political intransigence and violence expressed by some ethnic groups stem from circumstances exogenous to ethnic affiliations. In particular, absolute restrictions on ethnic access to the executive produce conditions under which ethnic group incentive to participate in peaceful electoral politics is eliminated. A number of case studies and statistical analysis of all electoral democracies since 1945 are used to test and support the formal argument.

This book is about the effect of diversity on the development of democracy.

About the Author
Johanna Kristin Birnir is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

Reviews
'This book is an important addition to the literature, as the implications of her arguments are highly significant for the theory and practice of ethnic conflict and its resolution.' Political Studies Review



Book Information
ISBN 9780521743655
Author Johanna Kristin Birnir
Format Paperback
Page Count 296
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 390g
Dimensions(mm) 226mm * 147mm * 18mm