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Understanding Mass Atrocity Prevention during Periods of Democratic Transition
[journal article]
Abstract The purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding of why some countries experience mass atrocities during periods of democratic transition, while others do not. Scholars have long regarded democracy as an important source of stability and protection from mass atrocities such as genoci... view more
The purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding of why some countries experience mass atrocities during periods of democratic transition, while others do not. Scholars have long regarded democracy as an important source of stability and protection from mass atrocities such as genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. But democratic transition itself is fraught with the heightened risk of violent conflict and even mass atrocities. Indeed, a number of studies have identified regimes in transition as containing the highest risk of political instability and mass atrocities. What is overlooked is the question of how and why some regimes undergo such transitions without experiencing mass atrocities, despite the presence of a number of salient risk factors, including state-based discrimination, inter-group tension and horizontal inequality. Utilizing a new analytical framework, this article investigates this lacuna by conducting a comparative analysis of two countries - one that experienced atrocities (Burundi) during transition, and one that did not (Guyana). How countries avoid such violence during transition has the potential to yield insights for the mitigation of risk associated with mass atrocity crimes. (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
genocide; massacre; ethnic conflict; political change; democratization; political conflict; governance; political decision; etiology; prevention; Burundi; Guyana; international comparison; developing country; Central Africa; South America
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Peace and Conflict Research, International Conflicts, Security Policy
Document language
English
Publication Year
2015
Page/Pages
p. 27-41
Journal
Politics and Governance, 3 (2015) 3
Issue topic
Mass Atrocity Prevention (Part I)
ISSN
2183-2463
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed
Licence
Creative Commons - Attribution