Recognizing Patterns of Discourse to Prevent Genocide

• In Event: Ethnic Conflict: Constructing, Deconstructing, and Reconstructing Ethnic Divides

Abstract

On-going ethnic violence taking place in Myanmar proves that demands of "never again" following World War II have not been realized. Since the Holocaust, genocides and ethnic massacres have left countries around the globe forever scared. But these terrible events are predictable. Discourse used in the violence in Myanmar underlines that the language of genocide is often universal. Buddhists’ calls for violence against Muslims echoes calls heard during the Rwandan genocide. I offer a comparative study of the discourse of ethnic violence and genocide over-time. I focus on the similarities in the discursive constructions of the other to identify patterns of ethnic violence discourse. I argue that once patterns of ethnic violence discourse are identified, international organizations could use these patterns to do more than post-conflict mediation or peacekeeping missions. These organizations could more deeply analyze the situation, take action more quickly, and prevent large-scale ethnic violence at the on-set.

Author

• Rebecca Zimmermann, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service