Ethnically divisive policies undermined Sri Lanka’s liberal democratic promise
Evidence
Sri Lanka has paid a massive price for civil war. At the time of independence, Sri Lanka’s high literacy rate, experience with universal franchise, and relatively high socio-economic indices led many to predict that it was the most likely of the newly independent states to become a peaceful, liberal democracy. Ethnically divisive policies and subsequent civil war have undermined that promise, although this island the size of West Virginia still has vast potential, provided peace can be achieved between its two principal ethnic communities. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 614
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Ethnic outbidding by Sinhalese parties drove ethnic polarization.; Extremist Sinhalese parties weaponized Buddhism against Tamil devolution — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 157; Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism rests on a foundational belief in Buddhist sufferance toward minorities (+5 more)
Broader Connections
- Ethnic outbidding by Sinhalese parties drove ethnic polarization.
#corroborates(0.85) - Extremist Sinhalese parties weaponized Buddhism against Tamil devolution
#exemplifies(0.80) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 157 - Tamil overrepresentation under colonialism fueled Sinhala-only demands.
#expands(0.80) - Tamil economic success in Colombo provokes nationalist campaigns to drive Tamils out
#exemplifies(0.78) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 283 - Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism independently blocks peace beyond the LTTE’s intransigence
#corroborates(0.75) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 300 - Ethnic parties shift toward moderation only after securing dominance over in-group rivals
#qualifies(0.72) — Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Roger Macginty, Ethnic Outbidding and Party…, 103 - Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism rests on a foundational belief in Buddhist sufferance toward minorities
#qualifies(0.70)