Ethnic outbidding by Sinhalese parties drove ethnic polarization.

Evidence

The institutionalization of the Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist ideology means that a political solution to Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict is unlikely; meaningful devolution, whereby Sri Lanka’s Tamils could coalesce with their ethnic counterparts and gain equality and self-respect, is also not in the offing—irrespective of how the conflict ends or the preferences of the international community. A solution along federal lines is especially unlikely. On the contrary, the Sri Lankan state, especially under the present government, will continue to seek a military solution and perpetuate the extant unitary structure. Irrespective of when the civil war ends, even Tamils who have clamored for autonomy within a united Sri Lanka are bound to be disappointed. The analysis further suggests that other minorities (e.g., Christians and Muslims) also could come under attack as the nationalist ideology becomes further consolidated. The recent well calibrated anti-Christian violence and the intermittent Buddhist-Muslim clashes hint of the dangers ahead. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 42 (#expands, via linked claim)

Partly, the fragmentation of the opposition was a consequence of Moi’s early strategy to channel patronage via powerful individuals serving as ethnic patrons to secure support. The approach had raised ethnic salience, fostered a perception of politics as zero-sum, and created strong center–locality relations where individual patrons had the capacity to mobilize mass support and deliver their ethnic constituencies (Cheeseman, 2006: 302–303). By being both wealthy and having an established ethnic support base, the main political leaders knew that ‘even if they suffered electoral defeat, the strength of their personal support would ensure that they continued to be major players in Kenya’s political landscape’ (Cheeseman, 2006: 303). — Johan Brosché and Hanne Fjelde and Kristine Höglund, Electoral violence and the legacy of…, 58 (#expands, via linked claim)

As the conceptualization shows, ethnic outbidding is not necessarily a blunt instrument of total opposition to a peace initiative. Instead, it is argued, it can be subtly modulated and can be compatible with democratic political systems featuring modern political parties. — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 22 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Ethnic outbidding can be modulated and coexist with party modernization — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 22; Mediators deflect ethnic chauvinism by reframing claims in historical context — Neda Maghbouleh, The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian…, 477; Ethnic outbidding intensity fluctuates over a peace process’s timeline, not continuously — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 45 (+10 more)

Related

• Sri Lanka’s 1956 election introduced ethnic outbidding as a political tactic (similarity 0.84)
• Ethnically divisive policies undermined Sri Lanka’s liberal democratic promise (similarity 0.83)
• State expulsion and ethnic conflict raised the Sinhalese share of Sri Lanka’s population. (similarity 0.79)
• Patronage-based ethnic mobilization fosters zero-sum perceptions and fragmented opposition. (similarity 0.79)
• Entrenched Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism forecloses federal solutions and portends broader attacks on minorities (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• Entrenched Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism forecloses federal solutions and portends broader attacks on minorities #expands (0.85) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 42
• Ethnic outbidding can be modulated and coexist with party modernization #qualifies (0.82) — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 22
• Patronage-based ethnic mobilization fosters zero-sum perceptions and fragmented opposition. #expands (0.82) — Johan Brosché and Hanne Fjelde and Kristine Höglund, Electoral violence and the legacy of…, 58
• Mediators deflect ethnic chauvinism by reframing claims in historical context #responds-to (0.78) — Neda Maghbouleh, The Limits of Whiteness, 477
• Ethnic outbidding intensity fluctuates over a peace process’s timeline, not continuously #qualifies (0.78) — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 45
• Inclusive clientelist patronage across ethnic elites can dampen inter-ethnic rivalry #corroborates (0.75) — Johan Brosché and Hanne Fjelde and Kristine Höglund, Electoral violence and the legacy of…, 75
• Tamil nationalism and the LTTE were manufactured by Sinhalese ethnocentric government policies. #expands (0.75) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 227