CIAO DATE: 06/2010
May 2010
United States Institute of Peace
Political, socioeconomic or cultural inequalities among groups could potentially motivate political violence in societies. Research has shown that political inequalities between groups are most likely to motivate leaders, while socioeconomic inequalities motivate followers. Political violence is most likely to occur when there is a confluence of exclusionary governance and economic and social marginalization imposed by one group on another. In order to minimize the likelihood of conflict, policies should first address the political inequalities that most often provide a catalyst for the leadership of a violent uprising. Reducing the immediacy of conflict allows for subsequent work to address the socioeconomic inequalities that could eventually mobilize the group members at large. Going forward, there should be more research into group dynamics and conflict-triggers, coordinated international assistance to ensure optimal policy sequencing, inclusion of equality as an aspect of humanitarian and development programs and increased training and sensitization to group inequalities.
Resource link: Group Inequality and Conflict: Some Insights for Peacebuilding [PDF] - 230K