Democratization, Ethnicity, and War

Authors

Lindsay J. Baxter, Brigham Young University
Dr. Scott Cooper, Brigham Young University

Keywords

democratization, ethnicity, war, foreign policy, democratic peace theory

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Political Science

Abstract

US foreign policy often centers on the idea that spreading democracy is the key to ending violent interstate conflict. Proponents of the democratic peace theory endorse this policy perspective, asserting that the historical record demonstrates that war between democracies is rare if not nonexistent. However, scholars like Edward Mansfield and Jack Snyder remind policy makers that “countries do not become mature democracies overnight.”1 They maintain that democratizing states are actually more war-prone than mature democracies; therefore, those who shape foreign policy should couple their pro-democracy agenda with considerable caution.

Recommended Citation

Baxter, Lindsay J. and Cooper, Dr. Scott (2013) "Democratization, Ethnicity, and War," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 376.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/376