Burnell & Randall: Politics in the Developing World 2e 
Study QuestionsBurnell & Randall: Politics in the Developing World 2e
Chapter 6
What strategies are open to the many multi-ethnic societies in the developing world to manage conflict peacefully? How have very heterogeneous societies managed to avoid violent conflict?
Is the distinction between potentially very divisive ethnonationalism and a 'politically safe' civic nationalism a valid distinction, and which countries exemplify the distinction well?
Are there any countries where violence between communities indicates that partition or secession offer the only solutions? What are the other essential ingredients of a successful solution?
How important in relative terms are strong state institutions and an inclusive approach to politics to the management of conflict in divided societies?
Why is ethnic violence more common in highly polarised societies than in societies with a large plurality of different ethnic, cultural, language or religious groups?
Assess the contribution of colonial rule to subsequent ethnopolitical conflict in developing countries.
In what circumstances and through what main processes do ethnopolitical identities emerge? Illustrate with examples from developing countries.
Why does ethnicity play a much more prominent role in African than in Latin American politics?
Discuss, with examples from developing countries, the contribution that political parties can make to nation-building.
As a basis of political identity, is religion best regarded as a form of ethnicity?
Are there lessons that developing countries can learn from OECD countries for how to manage the politics of multi-ethnic diversity in society?
Are there lessons that OECD countries can learn from developing countries for how to manage the politics of multi-ethnic diversity in society?
Are ethnically based political parties a danger to democracy?
If it is true that most ethnopolitical identities in the developing world were constructed then are there any cases where such identities have declined or been abandoned, and if so, how did this happen?
In a multiethnic society should all main ethnic groups be formally guaranteed political representation in the principal organs of state, such as the executive, legislature, judiciary and the military high command?
Does evidence from the developing world tell us if ethnic diversity hinders, or conversely helps, the attainment of liberal democracy?
Have religion and sectarianism overtaken 'tribal' and ethnic affiliation as the major determinants of politics in Africa today?
Discuss with examples from the developing world, whether the introduction of democratic processes tends to calm or exacerbate ethnically-based conflict.
Assess the role of economic factors both in triggering ethnic conflict and in resolving it, within developing countries.
Discuss, with examples, the circumstances under which federal political arrangements may help to contain ethnopolitical pressures.
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