Analyzing the Effects of Ethnicity on Internal Armed Conflicts in Burma: Identity Crisis and the Struggle for Recognition

Abstract

While it is a widely accepted argument that ethnicity and armed conflicts are inextricably linked, there is little understating regarding in which conditions and how exactly ethnicity affects armed conflicts, which this thesis aims to explain through a qualitative case study on Burma, a Southeast Asian nation where what is known as ethnic armed organizations and the national armed forces of Burma-the Tatmadaw-have been at war since Burma got independence from Britain in 1948. While ethnicity can turn into a source of conflict in certain situations, ethnic differences per se are not the cause of conflict. However, ethnicity and ethnic groups can produce negative effects in certain situations. As the main research question, this study asks: In which conditions and how 'ethnicity' produce adverse effects that fuel armed conflicts? In addition to the main research question, this study will test three hypotheses in relation of the main research question to get a clear picture of the adverse effects of ethnicity on armed conflicts. The study concludes by discussing research findings and questions for further research in the area of ethnic armed conflict. Klíčová slova: Ethnicity, Armed Conflict, Recognition, Identity Crisis, Burma/Myanmar

While it is a widely accepted argument that ethnicity and armed conflicts are inextricably linked, there is little understating regarding in which conditions and how exactly ethnicity affects armed conflicts, which this thesis aims to explain through a qualitative case study on Burma, a Southeast Asian nation where what is known as ethnic armed organizations and the national armed forces of Burma-the Tatmadaw-have been at war since Burma got independence from Britain in 1948. While ethnicity can turn into a source of conflict in certain situations, ethnic differences per se are not the cause of conflict. However, ethnicity and ethnic groups can produce negative effects in certain situations. As the main research question, this study asks: In which conditions and how 'ethnicity' produce adverse effects that fuel armed conflicts? In addition to the main research question, this study will test three hypotheses in relation of the main research question to get a clear picture of the adverse effects of ethnicity on armed conflicts. The study concludes by discussing research findings and questions for further research in the area of ethnic armed conflict. Klíčová slova: Ethnicity, Armed Conflict, Recognition, Identity Crisis, Burma/Myanmar