The Role of Civil Society in Preventing Ethnic Conflict: Ashutosh Varshney

By Amani El Sehrawey

In his ethnography, Ethnic Conflict and Civil Society: India and Beyond, Ashutosh Varshney explores the ethnic conflict between Muslim and Hindus in India. His work is detailed, spans over many years, and explores the relationship between the two ethnicities in a variety of Indian regions, looking into their political and social dynamic, which has predominantly been one of waxing and waning conflict. Particularly in the Gujarat region of India, violence between Hindus and Muslims is incredibly pervasive.

Varshney's research is unique in that it looks at civil society as a means of conflict prevention. His research indicated that in Indian regions where there were vast networks of civic engagement, where secular business, charity, and political groups crossed sectarian communal lines, the likelihood of ethnic confrontation was significantly reduced. He concludes that inter-ethnic bridges create peace. He further notes that inter-ethnic association of the formal variety (formal organizations) form stronger networking links over informal association (everyday interactions) and must be emphasized. Civil society, the place between state and family, if developed along inter-communal rather than intra –communal lines are key tool in promoting peace between potentially conflicting communities. The idea is to integrate the two so extensively that they become one community. The concept is similar to the economic integration strategy employed by post-WWII Europe which has resulted in the formation of the European Union and the longest peace time the European continent has ever experienced since the formation of the modern nation-state.

Varshney's theory is one that is useful to take in the context of religious conflict between Copts and Muslims in Egypt. Similar to in India, the sectarian tension is a long standing one, varying in intensity over the years. Particularly we have seen an increase in ethnic conflict, particularly highlighted by the violence in Imbaba and other places in Egypt several weeks ago. With the dissolution of the Mubarak regime went the state as a tool of controlling ethnic conflict. As it seems Egypt is a long way off from stable long-term governance, it is crucial now more than ever that we not forget the importance of civil society in preventing such conflict. While Egyptians work together to rebuild the state apparatus, they absolutely must renew efforts to develop a strong formal associations that stretch across religious lines. The incredible solidarity between Muslims and Copts found in the revolution demonstrates that the two religious groups are indeed capable of not only peaceful, but productive coexistence. Rather than allow this potential to go to waste, the Egyptian people must work to create a better future for all Egyptians- one that emphasizes similarities and shared interests rather than differences.

-Amani El Sehrawey is an undergraduate studying International Relations at Boston University. She is currently interning at the American Islamic Congress in Cairo, Egypt.