Seminar Federalism and Conflict Resolution [SS 2021]

Since the end of the Cold War, the nature of conflict has changed. The most violent and persistent conflicts are intrastate conflicts. They are carried out or fought between different groups within one country, rather than between different countries, and typically have their root causes in ethnic, religious or linguistic diversity as well as legacies of oppression and marginalization. The changed nature of conflicts necessitates new forms of conflict resolution and peace-making. These tools must be capable of managing diversity peacefully and creating more inclusive states. As federalism is such a tool, it is more and more often seen as one – or even the only – road to sustainable peace.

Federalism has the potential to facilitate the accommodation of differences, to protect minorities, to create and maintain political stability and to prevent territorial disintegration. By allowing for internal self-determination, federalism gives minority groups control over their own economic, political, social and cultural affairs, and satisfies the majority by establishing mechanisms of cooperation and coordination stabilizing the overall state. These potentials as a peace-making instrument have rendered federalism one of the international community’s preferred conflict ameliorating strategies. Hence, it does not come as a surprise that theories and practices of federalism are discussed and put to the test throughout the world.

During the Seminar “Federalism and Conflict Resolution”, we will first explore the links between federalism and internal conflict resolution and then study the federalism debates and constitution making processes currently going on in Syria. Participants will then choose a case study and write a paper. Students will be allowed to choose their case study (such as Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, etc.). In the middle of the semester, the progress of the paper (topic, outline, etc.) will be presented to the class. Towards the end of the semester, the class will meet to present and discuss the case studies and draw some conclusions.

Public:              All students having successfully completed IUR II (maximum: 25 participants)

Language:        English

ECTS:                5

Time:                Spring 2021

 Introduction:  1 all-day meeting at the beginning of the semester

 Mid-term:       1 all-day meeting in the middle of the semester

 Presentation:  1 all-day meeting at the end of the semester