Democracy, Minority Rights and Conflict Prevention in Asia

Abstract

Why do democracies encounter more violent secessionist movements in comparison to non-democracies? While there is evidence that democratic states contribute to international peace, the converse, that democracies enjoy internal peace, seems problematic. In fact, the evidence seems to suggest that authoritarian states face fewer separatist challenges of a violent nature than do democratic ones. Democracy, which introduces competitive elections, is commonly offered as a solution to political problems. However, in ethnically divided societies, competitive democracy may exacerbate political tension and polarize groups. Are systems of democratic governance incompatible with durable peace in such societies? This work examines how respect for minority rights can contribute to conflict prevention in multi-cultural democracies in Asia.