Status in the World System and Ethnic Mobilization

In: The journal of conflict resolution: journal of the Peace Science Society (International), Volume 42, Issue 6, p. 691-720

Abstract

Many countries seem to be confronting challenges from ethnic movements. This study extends arguments from existing theories to consider an explanation of ethnic mobilization at the world system level. The analysis uses structural equation models to compare data on ethnic mobilization in 130 countries from 1965 to 1990. The authors examine hypotheses concerning the impact of peripheral status and integration into the world system on the magnitude of ethnic violence and nonviolence. Results provide evidence that peripheral countries with more ties to international governmental organizations have significantly lower levels of ethnic violence than peripheral countries without these ties. Moreover, peripheral countries with more memberships in international organizations experience a significantly higher magnitude of ethnic nonviolent protest. Finally, we present some speculative results regarding the impact of income inequality on the magnitude of ethnic violence.