CONF 735: GLOBAL CONTEXT OF CONFLICT

Professor Ho-Won Jeong
George Mason University
Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
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Ethnic Boundaries and the Margins of the Margin, Bent Jorgenson

By utilizing the post-colonial and conflict resolution lenses, Jorgenson examines the nature of ethnic boundaries and their connection to the 'margins of the margin', that is, groups that have become marginalized by the boundary function of dominant and other ethnic groups. He links the two approaches because 'they share a normative concern of the same fundamental problem, namely the reconstruction and deconstruction of ethnic boundaries'. The author tries to illustrate his points (on the ethnic boundary function) by using the examples of the Assamese and Begali in Northeast India and Southern Bihar.

Below are some of the main themes raised in the article. Would you like to respond to them?

1. Ethnic boundaries are described as 'cognitive or mental boundaries situated in the minds of people and are the result of collective efforts of construction and maintenance' that 'dichotomize insiders from outsiders'. In essence, where ethnic boundaries are inscribed, there exists a mental map in the minds of its members of safe places to go or 'our' place. In this way, the margins are often silenced and further marginalized.

2. In the author's view, the conflict resolution field attempts 'to find general methods and schemes of solution, develop guidelines for mediation and/or identify universal processes of conflict resolution'. Conflict resolution presumes that parties to a conflict have the ability to effect positive change or peaceful resolution. The author remarks that even conflict resolution processes can further marginalize individuals who lack the power and size to become recognized as a party to the conflict in the first place.

3. How can conflict be expressed in such a way as to avoid being part of the dominant culture and discourse?

4. Beyond mere economic deprivation, the marginalized have no voice to put forward their demands' and in some instances violent groups take the 'leadership' that steps forward to give voice to their demands. How could conflict resolution practitioners build bridges and create conditions and institutions through which marginalized groups can speak.

5. The post-colonial viewpoint has a broader base and is multi-disciplinary; its goal is to convert ethnic boundaries from 'boundaries of marginalization to boundaries for "strategic essentialization" and 'resistance against marginalization' since deconstructing such ethnic boundaries altogether is not feasible. The prefix 'post' implies that colonization continues to have negative effects on the colonized (and this practice is at the root of conflict).