title: Unravelling Syria's Entho-Sectarian Politics

authors: Townshend, Estelle Jane

subjects: Sectarian international relations Middle East

abstract: Goaded by the regional repercussions of the Syrian crisis sectarian tensions are emerging as the key threat to Middle Eastern and Syrian stability.  Sectarianism has had a big impact on politics in Syria, it is implicated in the maintenance of authoritarianism, and sectarian dynamics are escalating the intensity of the uprising against the Assad regime.   Prior to the civil war communal bonds between regime members and minority sect insecurity were key to the survival of the regime.   Political power and control was maintained through fear and this was not just fear of the powerful security forces but also fear of sectarian conflict with the regime highlighting the risk of sectarian conflict, minority persecution and instability should the regime fall.  As a result many supported or tolerated the Assads out of fear of the alternative. 
This thesis aims to analyse the extent and the manner in which political players in Syria have used religious narratives and manipulated sectarian identities in their pursuit of power. It concludes that sectarian tactics have been intensified within the Syrian uprising by both the regime and within the opposition.   Religious narratives for mobilising support have become widespread and an emphasis on dangers from the ‘other’ is prevalent.  Given Middle Eastern history of intolerance towards other religious and ethnic groups this emphasis on confessional narratives is intensifying the dangers of sectarian violence within the civil war and creating rifts that will be hard to heal.   
The use of religious narratives for political goals is a feature of the religious and political landscape and this is analysed through the lens of Ethnic Conflict Theory.   With radical Islam heavily featuring narratives that emphasise opposition to other, an entitlement to dominate and an admiration of religious warrior characteristics alongside the cultural importance of nested communal groups, Islam has served as a readymade construct for mobilising sectarian groups against political foes.
However although many sectarian narratives refer heavily to history the current confessional tensions relate specifically to the present. With Middle Eastern autocratic regimes under threat due to the Arab Spring many groups perceive that political power is up for grabs and are finding it expedient – and religiously justifiable - to mobilise through the established channels of confessional loyalties and networks particularly along Sunni versus Shia lines.  Plus given the importance of religion to the region it is a clear front runner as justification for political and/or armed action.   
Advances in communications technology, specifically social media, and the breakdown of regime authority has allowed for voices to be heard from within an autocratic state that had otherwise been silenced, thus providing an unprecedented opportunity to analyse sectarian politics within a civil war.

text: Unravelling Syria's Entho-Sectarian Politics Goaded by the regional repercussions of the Syrian crisis sectarian tensions are emerging as the key threat to Middle Eastern and Syrian stability.  Sectarianism has had a big impact on politics in Syria, it is implicated in the maintenance of authoritarianism, and sectarian dynamics are escalating the intensity of the uprising against the Assad regime.   Prior to the civil war communal bonds between regime members and minority sect insecurity were key to the survival of the regime.   Political power and control was maintained through fear and this was not just fear of the powerful security forces but also fear of sectarian conflict with the regime highlighting the risk of sectarian conflict, minority persecution and instability should the regime fall.  As a result many supported or tolerated the Assads out of fear of the alternative. 
This thesis aims to analyse the extent and the manner in which political players in Syria have used religious narratives and manipulated sectarian identities in their pursuit of power. It concludes that sectarian tactics have been intensified within the Syrian uprising by both the regime and within the opposition.   Religious narratives for mobilising support have become widespread and an emphasis on dangers from the ‘other’ is prevalent.  Given Middle Eastern history of intolerance towards other religious and ethnic groups this emphasis on confessional narratives is intensifying the dangers of sectarian violence within the civil war and creating rifts that will be hard to heal.   
The use of religious narratives for political goals is a feature of the religious and political landscape and this is analysed through the lens of Ethnic Conflict Theory.   With radical Islam heavily featuring narratives that emphasise opposition to other, an entitlement to dominate and an admiration of religious warrior characteristics alongside the cultural importance of nested communal groups, Islam has served as a readymade construct for mobilising sectarian groups against political foes.
However although many sectarian narratives refer heavily to history the current confessional tensions relate specifically to the present. With Middle Eastern autocratic regimes under threat due to the Arab Spring many groups perceive that political power is up for grabs and are finding it expedient – and religiously justifiable - to mobilise through the established channels of confessional loyalties and networks particularly along Sunni versus Shia lines.  Plus given the importance of religion to the region it is a clear front runner as justification for political and/or armed action.   
Advances in communications technology, specifically social media, and the breakdown of regime authority has allowed for voices to be heard from within an autocratic state that had otherwise been silenced, thus providing an unprecedented opportunity to analyse sectarian politics within a civil war.

year: 2013

title: Government policies and Indigenous tourism in New Caledonia

authors: d'Hauteserre, Anne-Marie

subjects: tourism development policies

abstract: Governments in New Caledonia are supporting ecotourism initiatives as the French state has mandated efforts to increase the income of Kanak people. As it is generally asserted that tourism development provides economic benefits, this article will examine whether tourism (both entrepreneurs and visitors) can treat indigenous cultures and their environment with dignity. It scrutinizes in particular the role of government policies in fostering such an outcome. Post-colonialism, as a theoretical framework, questions existing inequitable power relations and demands a rethinking of the construction of knowledge and accumulation of wealth. In New Caledonia, it took two major Accords for the Kanak to be able to participate in its economic development. Post-colonialism supports the indigenization of the production of destinations. The Kanak do not refute economic development; they want it within the Kanak concept of land use and on their customary lands. The article describes the various efforts of the Northern Province, within the policy framework of the territory of New Caledonia, to foster forms of tourism development that rely on the local market. The accent has been on supporting the development of potentialities before outside investors catch them and on empowering enterprising individuals. Unfortunately, at this stage tourism development in the Northern Province provides some income but has yet truly to elevate livelihoods.

text: Government policies and Indigenous tourism in New Caledonia Governments in New Caledonia are supporting ecotourism initiatives as the French state has mandated efforts to increase the income of Kanak people. As it is generally asserted that tourism development provides economic benefits, this article will examine whether tourism (both entrepreneurs and visitors) can treat indigenous cultures and their environment with dignity. It scrutinizes in particular the role of government policies in fostering such an outcome. Post-colonialism, as a theoretical framework, questions existing inequitable power relations and demands a rethinking of the construction of knowledge and accumulation of wealth. In New Caledonia, it took two major Accords for the Kanak to be able to participate in its economic development. Post-colonialism supports the indigenization of the production of destinations. The Kanak do not refute economic development; they want it within the Kanak concept of land use and on their customary lands. The article describes the various efforts of the Northern Province, within the policy framework of the territory of New Caledonia, to foster forms of tourism development that rely on the local market. The accent has been on supporting the development of potentialities before outside investors catch them and on empowering enterprising individuals. Unfortunately, at this stage tourism development in the Northern Province provides some income but has yet truly to elevate livelihoods.

year: 2010

title: Collectivism, cultural identity and employee mental health: A study of New Zealand Māori

authors: Brougham, David M.

subjects: Anxiety

abstract: Māori are a collectivistic people living within a largely individualistic country. The present study tested whether Māori who practice higher levels of workplace collectivism feel greater alignment with their overall cultural beliefs, and report better mental health results because of their lower levels of anxiety and depression. Three hundred and thirty-six Māori employees were surveyed, and a regression analysis showed significant direct effects, with collectivism accounting for a sizable 20 % of the variance in both anxiety and depression. Two moderators relating to cultural knowledge and cultural language were also tested. Significant two-way interactions were found: high collectivism and high cultural knowledge led to low depression, and high cultural knowledge and high cultural language skills led to low depression and anxiety. A three-way interaction was found between anxiety, collectivism and cultural knowledge and/or language: low anxiety was reported by respondents with high collectivism and either high cultural knowledge or cultural language. Overall, the study highlights the importance of collectivism and cultural identity for Māori employees' mental health

text: Collectivism, cultural identity and employee mental health: A study of New Zealand Māori Māori are a collectivistic people living within a largely individualistic country. The present study tested whether Māori who practice higher levels of workplace collectivism feel greater alignment with their overall cultural beliefs, and report better mental health results because of their lower levels of anxiety and depression. Three hundred and thirty-six Māori employees were surveyed, and a regression analysis showed significant direct effects, with collectivism accounting for a sizable 20 % of the variance in both anxiety and depression. Two moderators relating to cultural knowledge and cultural language were also tested. Significant two-way interactions were found: high collectivism and high cultural knowledge led to low depression, and high cultural knowledge and high cultural language skills led to low depression and anxiety. A three-way interaction was found between anxiety, collectivism and cultural knowledge and/or language: low anxiety was reported by respondents with high collectivism and either high cultural knowledge or cultural language. Overall, the study highlights the importance of collectivism and cultural identity for Māori employees' mental health

year: 2012