CIVIL SOCIETY & ETHNIC CONFLICT - A Comparative Case Analysis of Civil Society & Ethnic Conflict in Thailand & Malaysia
Abstract: The importance of civil society for advancing peace efforts and outcomes generated increased and wide interest after the Cold war. During this era the number of armed intra-state and violent ethnic conflicts also increased dramatically. In Southeast Asia only Malaysia has avoided intra-state conflict and recurring ethnic violence. Thailand constitutes a typical regional case with prolonged and recurring intra-state and ethnic conflicts. The aim of this study therefore was to contrast and explain the role of civil society in relation to ethnic conflict in Thailand and Malaysia. A comparative case analysis was applied across four analytical dimensions: space, structure, values, impact. Our study demonstrated that coercive regimes have suppressed civil society and communities remain intra-ethnic in both countries. Although civil society is weakened in both cases inter-ethnic government policies have secured ethnic peace over five decades in Malaysia, whereas the absence of similar policies has prolonged ethnic violence in Thailand.
AT THIS PAGE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE ESSAY. (follow the link to the next page)