Conflict induced Migration

1. Conflict induced Migration

2. What is a Conflict? • We begin at the fundamental basic level….what is a conflict? • So…….then a conflict is normally defined as a situation where different actors are pursuing incompatible goals. • From the onset of the notion of private property….human beings have been engaged in conflict. • Machiavelli, the Italian philosopher has to say the following about conflicts

3. Continued • Conflicts are inherent to each and every society and it cannot be stopped. • Violence is a static entity and is an inherent characteristic of power • Through the use of violence and power, conflicts can be settled. Likewise to resolve the conflict, one can use violence • Violence can be used to gain, retain and expand power. But it should be used within reason. • The state and the government are the primary actors within this realm. State is independent from all other states. (The Prince).

4. Continued • In a critical perspective, conflicts take place when there is a difference of interest. • One can look at it from the binary of the self VS the Other. The roots of conflict are always ever present within the definition of the other • The definition of the other is always unequal…its based on power • Exclusion and inclusion of discourse/facts within the larger paradigm would lead to marginalization and subalternization creating conflicts. • The self vs the other can be seen in the following terms

5. Continued • The difficult Other wants something, but exactly what? • That “something” may be entirely legitimate by most standards • But that something may be incompatible with what Selfwants • Incompatibility means conflict that may lead toviolence

6. Continued • The solution is a new reality accommodating legitimate goals. • "Want" points to goals, and one must understand that the Other has other goals than being difficult, with good arguments for their legitimacy. • Second Self may be a part of the problem by holding goals incompatible with Other‘s goals, which shifts the root cause from Other to the Self Other relation, the "conflict".

7. Continued • Thirdly the way out passes through the Self-Other relation, and fourthly the creation of a new reality accommodating both Self and Other, maybe with goals adjusted, may make the troubles wither away. • And that creation is transcendence. Some focus on the solution of conflict by transcendi • Various people have looked at conflict in different means and ways as such.

8. Continued • Focoult would say that the notion of the conflict is in “power” and how power leads to the creation of discourse which in turn would lead to conflict • For Derrida, conflict would mean the creation of binaries and the inability to escape the structurality of the structure • For Jugen Habbermas conflicts are a recurrent potentiality in everyday communication.

9. Continued • Habermas's pragmatic philosophy deals with the rational potential for criticism in everyday communication. • When someone disagrees there is a push to give reasons for ones standpoint and in that sense there is a conflict • There is always the risk that an utterence can be rejected or contested on three grounds, that is its proportional truth, its normative rightness and its sincerity. • When an utterence put forward by A is rejected by B and A does not accept this rejection then there is a conflict between the two actors

10. Continued • Habermas critical endeavours is rooted both in his pragmatic philosophy of communication, where conflicts should be dealt with through rational dialogue aiming for mutual consensus. • He then is ultra critical about social institutions which bars debate- Ex:- Capitalistic system • Gramsci would say it’s the hegemonic ideals of the powerful class which leads to conflicts(Theory of Hegemony)

11. Continued • Hegemony is rooted in the institutions of civil society, such as the church, the academy, and the media, which play a central role in ideological reproduction, providing legitimacy through the assertion of moral and intellectual institutions • Ultimately….it all leads to how the concept of power and dominance operates and how resistance comes up against such. • How does conflicts then lead to the creation of displacement?

12. Thus a conflict will create a heavy amount of stress making people forcefully or willfully move away. • So, conflict induced migration is forced or coerced. Types of conflicts which induces migration are • Internal Conflicts • External Conflicts • The modern day trend in the world shows that internal conflicts are on the rise as opposed to external conflicts

13. Internal Conflicts • This is called conflicts within the state. There are certain characteristics of internal conflicts • First we find the use of violence to achieve goals which also might be achieved without violence • Second, they all indicate a breakdown of some dimension of legitimate political order as well as the existence of collective frustration and aggressive tendencies in the population

14. Continued • Third, all presupposes certain capabilities of violence for those inciting the internal war and certain incapacities for preventing violence among on those whom internal war is made • Fourth all tend to scar societies deeply and to prevent the formation of consensus for an indefinite period

15. Continued • So, we can define an internal conflict as a conflict primarily taking place within the boundaries of the state. • Often such conflicts take place between the state and the civilian population which may or may not belong to another ethnic or minority group • But there is more to the notion of internal conflict than merely a conflict between the state and an ethnic group. • These conflicts often involve a notion of identity, a concept of security and a feeling of well being.

16. Continued • In the present day, conflicts are made demanding for more participation, greater autonomy, recognition and identity etc. • In the third world, state formation will remain a complex problem with its general concern for democracy, wider participation and demilitarization • Tensions are likely to be further heightened by severe poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. • The demand for identity and culture will spring from the increasing gap between the elites and the poor, and language along with culture maybe the final focus of conflicts within the time to come

17. Types of Internal Conflicts • Ideological conflicts between the state and the insurgent movements occur when the social equality between classes is dominant • Ex:- Maoist movement in Nepal/ The JVP insurgency in 1971/83) in Sri Lanka) • Governance and authority conflicts concerning the distribution of power and authority in society. Demands from the opposition are for regime change and control over the resources • Ex:- Syria, Libiya, Egypt • Racial violence based on race/ethnicity

18. Continued • Ethnic nationalism of South Asia have been anti-state and thereby threaten further the security and stability of the states from within. • Although the societies in this region are multi-cultural, their states are identified with the majority community in each society. • Pakistan-Punjabis • Sri Lanka-Sinhalese • Bangladesh-Ethnic Bengali Muslims • Nepal-Caste Wise • Bhutan- Drukpas (Naglops and Scharschops)

19. Continued • The ideological character of these states, and therefore their national identities came to be associated with the language, religion, culture and values of the majority group. • The minority may not be favored with the same positions and authority as the majority • In this circumstance, the state maybe seen as hostile, unresponsive and remote and indifferent to the special concerns of the minority nationalities which makes agitation take place against the state.

20. Continued • Furthermore, any integrative and assimilationist policy adapted by the state at the centre would be seen as attempts at weakening the strength of their communities • Hence, ethnic nationalism within the post colonial society will destabilize the state. • Ethnic nationalism creates internal dimensions and external dimensions.

21. Continued • It can lead to bringing about external intervention by proximate or outside powers due to the immense security threat it poses • And the nature of the porous borders. Borders drawn by colonialists are arbitrary. Hence, social ties exist between groups of the “same” kind/flock/stock which can lead to problems and various issues. Reference: The Seucurity Dilemma of a Small State-Read the chapter titled “Security Implications of ethnic nationalism in South Asia: Some Observations” by Prof. Y.R Amarasinghe for a detailed discussion of the issue

22. Continued • Thus Identity conflicts where ethnic, religious, tribal or linguistic differences play a major role in South Asia. Often these conflicts involve a combination of identity and the search for security where the main item of contention concerns devolution of power or total separation. • Ex:- Sri Lanka, The Gorkha Movement in Darjeeling, The Chakma Movement in Bangladesh, The Ethnic Federal Demands of Nepal, The cries for separation by the Balouchs, Sindhi’s and Pashtu's in Pakistan, Israel-Palestine conflict, Tibetan Issue, Bosnian Conflicts, Issues in Assam, East Pakistan Vs West Pakistan) • Environmental conflicts which can occur naturally or through human actions

23. Continued • Environmental conflicts are broadly resource based conflicts over land, water, the control of rivers and the protection of forests. • Ex:- Proposed Sethu Samudram Project affecting Sri Lanka and India • Fisheries issue affecting India and Sri Lanka/ Pakistan and India at individual levels. • River water disputes in South Asia- Between Nepal and India, India and Bangladesh, India and Pakistan- How does it affect individual states? • Border demarcation between India and Pakistan, India and China, India and Nepal, India and Bangladesh (Affect on Individual States) • North China Sea issue • Natural Disasters of various levels and degrees.

24. Points to Remember…….. • There are no hard and fast water tight categorical conflicts in the world • A multiple set of factors result in conflicts • These factors are the ones finally leading upto to terrorist and cessations groups

25. Inter State Conflicts • These conflicts are conflicts which happen between states creating forced migration. • But as political critics point out inter state conflicts are on the decline now • Prior to the cold war the norm were inter state conflicts. • But in the post-cold war era, with non-traditional security issues coming up the concept of sovereignty and security underwent a change • Hence states became pre-occupied with solving such non-traditional security issues

26. Continued • Especially with decolonization, the third world states have been facing immense challenged from non-traditional security factors • The so called first world is not immune to them as well • Yet prior to the cold war, we can see multitude of examples where conflicts created refugee flows. • Examples are: • The Two World Wars, The Vietnam War, The India-Pakistan conflict with the partition, Israel-Palestine Conflict, The US invasion on Iraq, The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, The US invasion of Afghanistan, Eritria vs Ethiopia, Iraq vs Kuwait, India vs China

27. Points to Ponder • What is the status of them being refugees? • Problems for the host country economically and politically. It might lead to wide ranging social issues as well such as • Economic burden • ● Political complexities • ● Diplomatic pressures and embarrassment • ● Legal challenges • ● Environmental degradation • ● Sociological and psychological impact • ● Rise in drug abuse/prostitution/unemployment/petty crimes • ● Rise in tension among various ethnic and religious groups • ● Adverse affect on law and order • The problems the refugees/ IDP’s themselves face: • Employment • Education • Health • Socio/economic/cultural issues • The issues of repatriation- How will it be done? Or how should it be done? • What are the consequences for the native state once repatriation begins?