In response to the attacks of September 11, 2001 and war in Afghanistan,
the Fulbright New Century Scholars program brought together social
scientists from around the world to study sectarian, ethnic, and
cultural conflict within and across national borders. As one result of
their year of intense discussion, this book examines the roots of
collective violence -- and the measures taken to avoid it -- in Burma
(Myanmar), China, Germany, Pakistan, Senegal, Singapore, Thailand,
Tibet, Ukraine, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe.
Case studies and theoretical essays introduce the basic principles
necessary to identify and explain the symbols and practices each unique
human group holds sacred or inalienable. The authors apply the methods
of political science, social psychology, anthropology, journalism, and
educational research. They build on the insights of Gordon Allport,
Charles Taylor, and Max Weber to describe and analyze the patterns of
behavior that social groups worldwide use to maintain their identities.
Written to inform the general reader and communicate across disciplinary
boundaries, this important and timely volume demonstrates ways of
understanding, predicting and coping with ethnic and sectarian violence.
Contributors: Badeng Nima, David Brown, Kwanchewan Buadaeng, Patrick
B. Inman, Karina V. Korostelina, James L. Peacock, Thomas F. Pettigrew,
Wee Teng Soh, Hamadou Tidiane Sy, Patricia M. Thornton, Mohammad Waseem.
