A Case Study On What Accounts Ethnic Violence

A CASE STUDY ON WHAT ACCOUNTS ETHNIC VIOLENCE

In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Course SST 418- COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Acopiado, Hanah Jean G. Castillo, Jemaila A. Ebora, Mark Jafet A. Makalaintal, Rica U, Pisig, Julius M.

September 04, 2018

I. Introduction Living in isolation from major groups in a country, most ethnic groups are often challenged to fight for their rights for they are, most of the time, subjected to stereotyping and discrimination. Stereotyping and discrimination. Persons belonging to ethnic groups are always being subjected to stereotyping. That is, they already being judged by what people think they are without getting to know them better. This is because others are thinking that because they are part of a certain minority group or race, they are like the others. This also results to discrimination where they are being left out because their beliefs, traditions, and way of living are different from those belonging to the majority. For these reasons, members of minority groups often feel inferior and lose their confidence, making them sometimes feel resentment towards their descent, for they feel like they have no right to speak because their voices are too tiny to be heard. This pushes them to isolate themselves by moving and living to places that are far from judgmental eyes of all the persons around them. This also pushes them to engage to clashes for the groups involved doesn’t want to accept and respect each other’s cultures, and/or fight for the scarce resources. Therefore, ethnic violence is not impossible to be experienced among countries having different ethnic identities. So, it is very important to identify the root cause of this problem and provide a permanent solution to make sure that this will be eradicated.

II. Background In Nigeria, At least 83 people have been killed since the start of the year in violence between the mainly Christian farmers and the semi-nomadic herders, who are mostly Muslims from Buhari’s Fulani ethnic group. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is home to 250 ethnic groups, about evenly divided between Christians who mainly live in the south and Muslims who mainly live in the north. Central states such as Benue have often seen violence over religious, ancestral and cultural differences.

Farmers caught up in the clashes say herdsmen, who roam West Africa in search of pasture and often travel in and out of Nigeria through porous borders, are armed with guns and cutlasses. Groups representing herdsmen have also accused farmers of violent attacks in the last few years. On the other hand, 56,337 people were murdered in 2012 in Brazil, one of the most violent countries in the world. Compare that to the U.S., where fewer than 15,000 people died violently the same year in a country with 60 percent more people. But those statistics hide a color-coded truth: Brazil actually has gotten a lot safer for white people. In the past decade, homicides among whites have decreased 24 percent. But among the black population they have increased 40 percent. According to Filho, with regards to the saying that black meat is cheaper; people don't get shocked to see a dead black person, because the person in their minds can be linked to crime. And in Brazil, if a person is linked to a crime, then he can be killed.

III. Theoretical Answers A. Poverty Economic Inequality will eventually lead to violence and ethnic conflict. When there in tolerance gap between what people feel they deserve and what they get in terms of goods or economic power, dissatisfied people will join together and revolt. Poverty is a state where individuals is not able to cater adequately for their basic needs of food, clothe and shelter; is unable to meet social and economic obligation lacks gainful employment, skills assets and self-esteem. There is presence of scramble for land, scarce resources and political clout. Countries face difficult situation because of poverty that results to poor education. Living in poverty affects the system of education suffering from lack of funds, insufficient materials and inappropriate curriculum. B. Geographical Distribution of the Minorities Geographical location is the first among numerous distinguished causes of ethnic violence. Territory plays a vital role in exploaining conflicts brought by ethnicity. Ethnicity is a category of people who identify themselves based on similarities such as common ancestry, language, history, society. The ethnic

division was a result of geographical distribution. People living in the same fixed territory will definitely share common traits. With the diversity of aforementioned factors, conflict and violence among ethnic groups in the country may arise. C. Institutional Incorporation of the Minorities The government is a major institution that is mainly responsible for stabilizing the aspects that revolves as the functions of the government. The three vital functions of the government are social, economic and political. All citizens are expected to take part of all these functions to ensure the transparency of service. Indeed the absence of such participation might cause conflict on whatever parties are involved. Meaning, whether the minorities should lay there participation inclined with the decision making that promulgate policies for the benefit of the nation. And if the minorities involvement are not given emphasis or seems to be unimportant at the national level then they are more likely subjected to exploitation. D. Size of the minorities In this study minorities are composed of the ethnic tribes living in there conventional way, maybe some of them adapted practices from the other group which might be helpful to their growth. Size of the minorities is also given emphasis because there number over the total population can determine the possible clashes may occur in a particular area where there settlement are in placed. It is from the idea that the larger group would oppressed the smaller group and there number probably diminished. IV. Alternatives The method used in finding the answer in the question “what accounts for ethnic violence” is Most Different System of Study, where the researchers find facts which will be used to support the theoretical answers. Most Different System of Study A. Poverty (s) Both Brazil and Nigeria have the presence of scramble for land, scarce resources and political clout. Brazil by Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) shows that more than fifty million Brazilians, nearly 25 percent of the population live between the poverty line and have family income of R$387.0 per month approximately

US$5.50 a day. They are considered as second most unequal country in the world suffering inequitable distribution. In Nigeria a new report by The World Poverty Clock shows Nigeria has overtaken India as the country with the most extreme poor people in the world and become the poverty capital of the world. Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) (% of population). B. Geographical Distribution of the Minorities (d) Brazil- it occupies roughly half of the South America bordering Atlantic Ocean. Its population is very diverse comprising of many ethnic groups. Conflict between ethnic groups in Brazil was brought by the racial features. Racial features brought by geographical distribution highlight the ethnic violence in Brazil. Nigeria- In contrary religion is the primary cause of ethnic violence in Nigeria. It has the largest Muslim population in West Africa and the largest Christian population in any country in Africa. Religion hinders cultural and political cooperation among Nigerians. Their beliefs affect the way they interact with one another. C. Institutional Incorporation of the Minorities (d) Brazil- Some ethnic groups under the minority are becoming aware of the degree to which their socio-economic, political cultural and religious, identities have been suppressed. Many hundreds of black consciousness and civil rights organizations are actively at work today. Nigeria- The minorities are not given the opportunity in institutional involvement because they were oppressed by the majorities. The ruling class allows the continuing oppression and exploitation of the poor working masses, their continuing hold onto power. D. Size of the minorities (d) Brazil- Due to the migration different races are composing the minorities but dominantly the majorities are striving for success while the minorities are left behind racial discrimination and stereotyping become rampant. Nigeria- As estimated the ethnic are locally composed of 250 ethnics with 128 ethnic languages. The minorities are living in conventional way and some of them are directly oppresed by the majority.

Supporting Thesis As derived from the findings using the method of MDSD the researchers obtained the poverty as the root cause of ethnic violence. With among the alternatives poverty is the closest and impactful source violence as a result of dissatisfaction of the needs and other revolving matters that is in connection with their own culture. Poverty is also the cause on why not to achieve quality education that are relevant to their economic and social perspectives. Ignorance is also the key factor of being exploit by the larger group. And if the government has failed to promote equality and the notion of social fairness society could not be freed from such violence.

V. Proposed Solution The researchers, after having thorough investigation and finding the root cause of ethnic violence, come up with a solution that they think is very applicable to the seen problem. Since in the study, the seen cause or the main thing that accounts ethnic violence is poverty, the researchers are proposing a solution which is asking the government to have an economic plan which will exterminate the poverty among the people of their countries. In this economic plan, they should focus on how the government can help not just the poor, but also the members of ethnic groups. In this way, when poverty and the gaps between the minority and majority are reduced or are eradicated, social justice will follow, eradicating also the ethnic violence. The plan should include the programs and projects the government can conduct in order to help the people. They should also include the existing jobs and provide possible job opportunities, the threats or problems on having this opportunities practiced in real life, and also their possible solution to the threats and problems. The researchers know that it is not impossible for one country to be developed and have social justice, as long as the people and the government cooperate with each other. So, countries, at this time, should already start moving towards development.

V. Recommendations Give emphasis on the multicultural approach in education to promote awareness towards other ethnic minorities. Government policies should be aligned with equalization services and anchored on the relevant cases involving clashes between groups. Promulgate strict regulation that will mandates authorities and the citizens to look for positive venue that will engage everyone into resolving conflicts peaceful through peaceful negotiations. The government should equally distribute the wealth of the nation to lessen the gap between the minority and majority. And objectively look at the expedient solution to the problems.