Abstract

The post-Cold War period is rife with countries struggling to consolidate democracy and, at the same time, trying to confront ethnic tensions apparently kept in check under authoritarian repression. This research, theoretically and empirically, addresses those who cynically view the prospects of democracy to manage ethnic conflict. The study exposes the flaws of arguments that cite the successes of the authoritarianism to demonstrate the failures of democracy. ;What is the best possible institutional arrangement for the management of ethnic conflict? To answer this question, I investigate how democratic institutions deal with ethnic conflict. Through theoretical exposition and empirical verification, I illustrate the superiority of democratic to authoritarian ethnic conflict management. Among democracies, I contrast the ameliorative capacities of various democratic institutions