A century ago, Marxists predicted the social class would replace such primitive bases of political association as ethnicity and language. Yet at the beginning of a new millennium, ethnic identity remains integral to politics in the modern world. Ethnicity is a resilient and virulent political force, and its reach includes developing nations, totalitarian states, and peaceful democracies.^LEthnic conflicts have occurred throughout the world. In Africa, conflicts involving the Hutu and the Tutsi have led to genocide. The Sinhalese-Tamil conflict has disrupted both Sri Lanka and India in Asia. The presence of foreign workers has created controversy in Germany and France, the Arab-Israeli crisis has been capturing the worlds' attention for years, and African Americans in the United States have been waging a civil rights battle since the 1860s.

This book focuses on 38 ethnic conflicts. Each surveyed conflict is presented with a timeline and an extensive essay that covers the conflict's details, historical background, management, and significance. Sources for further reading are also provided. This book is the perfect starting point for students and general readers seeking information about the complex and often violent forces that have changed—and continue to change—the world's political landscape.