Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019
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Date of Graduation
Spring 2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department
Department of Political Science
Advisor(s)
Bernd Kaussler
Kay Knickrehm
Martin Cohen
Abstract
The issue of sectarian violence is widespread in today’s world of intra-state conflict. Though it appears that religion and ethnicity fuel these civil wars, insurgencies, and terrorist acts, there are in fact many more factors that contribute to sectarian violence. In this article, three case studies of Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey are examined to determine what causes sectarianism to break into violent conflict in some cases rather than others. Through analysis of four independent variables—disparities, grievances, foreign intervention, and regime strength—it can be determined that the true drivers of sectarian violence are much more complex than simple religious and ethnic divides. Since the relationships between the independent variables are highly interrelated, it is ultimately impossible to isolate a single variable as being the sole spark that incites a sectarian disagreement to turn violent. The final conclusion is that foreign intervention and regime strength play a more significant role in stirring up violence than disparities and grievances, however a more empirical study will need to be carried out to arrive at a more definitive answer.
Recommended Citation
Antosh, Catherine R., "The drivers of sectarian violence: A qualitative analysis of Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey" (2016). Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019. 173.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors201019/173
