Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Turan, Kursad
Author's Email Address	ktt8728@fsu.edu
URN	etd-03282005-153247
Title	Political Change in Ethnically Diverse Societies: Democratization and Ethnic Violence
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Political Science, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Will H. Moore Committee Chair Dale L. Smith Committee Member Paul R. Hensel Committee Member Peter Garretson Committee Member Scott C. Flanagan Committee Member
Keywords	State Repression Social Mobilization Ethnic Conflict Ethnic Identity Democratization Political Change
Date of Defense	2004-12-01
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The project focuses on inter-ethnic relations in democratizing countries. The author explains how each ethnic group’s concern about their future in the new political system creates security dilemmas that lead to higher levels of violence among groups that live in the country. The theory is limited to certain types of democratization, namely quick democratizations, where institutional changes take place over a relatively short period of time and simultaneously with the expansion of political participation. Major changes in the political system mean two things. First, with a new political structure in place, it becomes inevitable that balances will change in society. Various groups mobilize to protect or improve their status. A second consequence of major political change is the uncertain environment caused by the replacement of old and familiar institutions with new and democratic ones. At least initially, these institutions are not only foreign to people, but also lack the track record they need in order to inspire confidence. In this uncertain environment people are left to fend for themselves. As a result, they tend to mobilize around their ethnic groups. The presence of various ethnic groups competing for position under the new political system leads to security dilemmas that are likely to turn to inter-group violence because the state often lacks the means to keep the situation under control. In order to evaluate the argument, the author creates a system of equations and using a data set that includes 284 tests it over a time period not only ethnically active, but also includes many democratization attempts. Results show strong support for the argument.
Files	Filename       Size       Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)     28.8 Modem   56K Modem   ISDN (64 Kb)   ISDN (128 Kb)   Higher-speed Access    KursadTuranDissertation.pdf 323.89 Kb 00:01:29 00:00:46 00:00:40 00:00:20 00:00:01