Sociology 2:Class 19: Globalization &

Conflict 3

Copyright © 2012 by Evan Schofer

Do not copy or distribute without permission

Announcements• Final exam coming up…

• Format similar to midterm• Topics: All course material… with main emphasis on

material covered in weeks 5-10• Final Exam Time: Thursday, March 21, 1:30-3:30pm

– NOTE: not during the “normal” class time…

• Final exam review sheet on website

• Course Evaluations available online!• Feedback welcome!

• Today’s Class: Culture & Conflict• Afghanistan

Review: Identity/culture• Two views of identity/ethnicity/culture:• 1. Primordial view

• Culture/ethnicity/identity is deeply rooted, fundamental

• 2. The “social constructionist” view: identity/ethnicity are malleable: They change over time and with social context

• People exhibit different identities in different contexts• Identities disappear and return (or are “re-invented”)• Political processes and social circumstances shape and

alter identities• Research evidence favors this view…

Review: culture/ethnicity & conflict• Do cultural/ethnic/religious differences lead to

conflict?– Huntington: Yes, “civilizational” differences are

fundamental, hard to overcome– Bowen: No, ethnic/cultural/religious identities are

socially constructed• Ethnic/religious identities are not “ancient” / unchanging• Ethnic/religious identities don’t motivate people to fight

or kill – except when prodded over and over by leaders– “It is fear and hate generated from the top, and not ethnic

differences, that finally push people to commit acts of violence.”

• Ethnic/religious animosity is usually the result, rather than the cause of conflict…

Satirical Video• Topic: Ethnic/religious conflicts and the wars

in Iraq and Afghanistan– Issue: Social science theories have very different

implications for strategy• Ex: hard power vs. soft power• Ex: Primordial vs. Socially constructed ethnicity

• Video: The Onion: Drones & Civilian Casualties

• http://www.theonion.com/video/could-the-use-of-flying-death-robots-be-hurting-am,27601/

Local Reactions to Globalization• So, if globalization doesn’t inevitably lead to

ethnic conflict… what’s up with Al Qaeda and the Taliban?

• Why are there suicide bombers?• Why is there a war in Afghanistan?• The general issue: How can we understand “anti-

Western” groups?

Local Responses to Globalization• Local reactions against Western culture,

imperialism:• 1. Opt out. Ignore or shun the external culture

– Examples: Many indigenous groups, the Amish

• Historically most common. Arguably the most “authentically” traditional response to outsiders

• Typical outcome: children abandon traditional culture; traditional groups shrink or disintegrate

– Many traditional societies do not have strong institutions of social control… can’t compete with Western education, media, labor market.

Local Responses to Globalization• Reactions against Western culture:• 2. “Reactionary movements”: Social

movements that attack the system, offer an alternative

• Examples: French social movements against American food, popular culture; Some Islamic fundamentalists.

– Note: Some movements attack a specific (or symbolic) part of the dominant culture. Others are total rejections of it.

• Examples from readings, personal experience?

Local Responses to Globalization• Kurzman reading: “Bin Laden and other

Thoroughly Modern Muslims”• Argument: There are two kinds of reactionary

movements: “Traditional” and “Modern”

– Traditional Reactionary Movements:• Ex: The Taliban in Afghanistan

– Mostly fight to get outsiders to leave• Usually organized by actual indigenous people

– Participants are usually local

• Not very common…

Local Responses to Globalization• Kurzman reading: (cont’d)

– “Modern” Reactionary Movements:• Ex: Bin Laden & Al Qaeda

– Typically organized by highly educated people• More like a social movement

– Sophisticated use of media, etc…

• Not really a very “local” response at all…• Argument: These are modern social movements.

Reactionary Movements• Sociologists have criticized conventional views

– 1. Ethnicity, culture, religion are socially constructed rather than primordial• Ethnicity and religion don’t inevitably produce conflict• Rather, leaders often push/prod people to fight…

– 2. Cultural differences aren’t sufficient to explain why people rise up, participate in social movements• Rather, we have to consider the role of:• Resources• Political context• Leaders who promote conflict.

The War in Afghanistan• Be sure to read:

• Schaeffer, Robert K. 2009. “Revolution and War in Afghanistan.” Pp. 259-280 (chapter 11) in Understanding Globalization (4th ed).

• Geography of Afghanistan• Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, & Tajikistan to the north

– Both part of the Soviet Union until 1990

• Iran to the West• Pakistan to the South and East

Afghanistan: Early History• Afghanistan lies along the “silk road”

– “Khyber Pass”

• Gateway to Asia from Europe/Middle East• Long history of commerce• A road used by invading armies throughout history

– Alexander the Great; Ghengis Khan

– Britain colonized India (including Pakistan)– And, made several efforts to control Afghanistan– But, never fully conquered it

Afghanistan: Soviet Influence• Russian/Soviet empire bordered Afghanistan

• Russia repeatedly made efforts to ensure a “friendly” regime controlled Afghanistan

– Much like the US tries to support US-friendly leaders in Latin America… sometimes using war or covert operations

– Soviets invaded Afghanistan in December 1979• Following the assassination of a pro-Russian leader

– US “Cold War” policy: Oppose Soviet expansion• US didn’t send troops… instead “covert” operations• US CIA & military aid was channeled to anti-Soviet

groups within Afghanistan– Often via Pakistan (& their “OSI” – secret service)

• “Mujahideen” groups received billions in weapons/cash

Afganistan: Soviet Influence• Soviet war in Afghanistan ended in 1988

• Combination of inhospitable terrain, local insurgents, & US-funded insurgency… resulted in stalemate

• It was like US war in Vietnam: Soviets weren’t exactly defeated, but suffered losses & gave up

– Tragedy: Massive civilian casualties (1 million?)

– Soviet departure left a mess• Several competing groups with lots of weapons

– Including: Taliban & United Front (“Northern Alliance”)

• Result: civil war

– Taliban conquered most of country in 1996• With continued support of Pakistan & the “OSI”.

Afganistan: Taliban Rule• Taliban waged a civil war for control over

Afghanistan for years• With extensive support of Pakistan & the “OSI”

– In 1996 the Taliban conquered most of the country• Established the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”• A very reactionary/conservative Islamic regime

– NOTE: Not all Islamic states are highly repressive, but this was

• Extremely repressive (e.g., regarding women’s rights)– And, many atrocities

– Taliban supported & worked with various militant groups, including Al Qaeda• Al Qaeda recruited & trained militias in Afghanistan…

US War in Afghanistan• After 9/11, US sought to destroy Al Qaeda

• Decided to overthrow Taliban to deny “training camps” & “safe havens”

– Issue: US wanted to avoid a costly ground war• Soviet experience: difficult terrain; high casualties

– Strategy: Rely on air power & elite forces• Coordinate with Pakistan and anti-Taliban groups in

Afghanistan for “boots on the ground”• 2006 briefing (joint chiefs): anticipation of Iraq war

diverted resources… Afghanistan done “cheaply”

US War in Afghanistan• US air war scattered the Taliban & Al Qaeda

• Installed Hamid Karzai as new leader

• Problem: US allies on the ground = weak, disorganized, and had mixed motives

• Pakistan doesn’t fully control border area• Lots of people in Pakistan sympathetic to Taliban

– Including secret service (OSI)

– Result: Some Al Qaeda & Taliban forces escaped into Pakistan & regrouped• Disorder in Pakistan continues to hamper US war• Plus, it is hard to stabilize/democratize a country (esp.

with few troops)… so the war grinds on…

Reactionary Movements & Conflict• Video: Return of the Taliban

• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/taliban/• Chapters 1-3 (19 min), 6-7 (15 min)

– Chapters 4-5 (21 min) if time allows…