From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe: Ethnic Conflicts since 1945 and the Im(possibility) of their Future Prevention

USIP Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow Andreas Wimmer will present a new comprehensive dataset, complied in collaboration with researchers from the ETH Zurich, on ethnic power relations in all countries of the world since 1945.  The dataset sheds new light on the relationship between ethnic diversity and conflict.  Wimmer's research demonstrates that it is not ethnic diversity in and of itself that explains conflict, but different configurations of political exclusion and inclusion along ethnic lines.

His findings refute some of the arguments put foward by the "greed and opportunity" school of thought, and have important consequences for our understanding of the causes of ethnic conflicts.  His research also contains valuable lessons for policymakers when thinking about power-sharing agreements.  These findings and more will be discussed at this event.

This event will feature the following speakers:

• Andreas Wimmer, Speaker

  Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace

• Jack Goldstone, Discussant

  Virginia E. and John T. Hazel Jr. Professor and Director of the Center for Global Policy, George Mason University

• Philip Keefer, Discussant

  Lead Economist, Development Research Group, The World Bank

• Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, Moderator

  Associate Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace

 Explore Further

• Access the full dataset.
• Listen to the audio recording of this event