| Summary: | The Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity (CRISE) is devoted to investigating the relationships between ethnicity, inequality and human security in a wide range of countries. We define ‘ethnicity’ very broadly, to encompass many perceived cultural differences among people, including those with religious, tribal, clan or ‘racial’, characteristics. We recognise the ‘constructed’ nature of ethnicities, yet find ethnicity is a critical concept from the perspective of social relations because it is perceived as so important by so many people. Our ultimate objective is to identify policies that will promote harmony in ethnic relations, and help to bring about conditions which prevent large scale violent conflict erupting among ethnicities. To achieve this we are carrying out in-depth investigation into up to eight countries as well as making some broader international comparisons (Malaysia and Indonesia; Ghana, Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire; Peru, Bolivia and possibly Guatemala). The eight countries have had varied success in avoiding ethnic conflict over time, as well as compared with each other.
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