Institutionalized nationalist ideology forecloses federal settlement even after the war ends
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. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 42
Categorization
- XREF: Bear directly on the manufactured-enemy sustaining-solidarity question: the ideology keeps manufacturing new targets (Christians, Muslims) once one enemy is exhausted — relevant to whether solidarity decays or finds new enemies when the primary threat ends. — connects to: Escalating domestic costs force colonial powers to abandon ideological colonial formulas — Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Algeria 1954-1962, 1543; Full state embrace of one’s nationalist ideology forecloses minority accommodation. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 719
Broader Connections
- Escalating domestic costs force colonial powers to abandon ideological colonial formulas
#complicates(0.80) — Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Algeria 1954-1962, 1543 - Full state embrace of one’s nationalist ideology forecloses minority accommodation.
#complicates(0.78) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 719