State of the Field of Ethnic Politics and Conflict

Ethnicity is one of the most salient and enduring topics of social science—resulting in hundreds, if not thousands, of studies being produced, throughout the world and over time. From theoretically constituting a principal malaise in politics to presumably providing structure and motivation ethnicity continues to puzzle political scientists. Despite or perhaps because of the concept’s significant use, all too seldom has the field paused to consider the state of our knowledge. For example, how do we define and conceive of ethnicity within the context of political conflict? What do we really know as a field about the causal determinants of ethnic conflict? What has been the most useful development within this literature and why? Conversely, what has been the least useful development within this literature and why? What remains to be done? If we had substantial research funds what theories would we explore and what method and sources would we employ?