“PAX ETHNICA: Where and How Diversity Succeeds” by Karl E. Meyer and Shareen Blair Brysac is a profound exploration into the complex dynamics of multicultural societies. In this enlightening work, the authors meticulously dissect the intricacies of coexistence among diverse communities across the globe, offering invaluable insights into the factors that foster peaceful integration. Through compelling anecdotes, rigorous analysis, and thought-provoking commentary, PAX ETHNICA transcends mere academic discourse to provide a compelling narrative on the possibilities and challenges of multiculturalism. In the realm of UPSC Essay Notes – Famous Book Summaries, PAX ETHNICA emerges as an indispensable resource, offering a comprehensive understanding of the principles underpinning harmonious societal interactions amidst diversity.
Where and How Diversity Succeeds
This book can be quoted when writing essays on Diversity about those unsung exceptions, the communities of the world where diverse groups live together in harmony. Social Media – the ethnic conflict and tension along religious and cultural lines makes for reliable, if dispiriting, headlines and why don’t the media focus more on what works?
Diversity is a goal in many places, but what can we learn from multicultural societies where diversity works?
In Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, and South Asia, troubled countries have been torn apart by seemingly intractable struggles among hostile religious, ethnic, and sectarian groups. In the public imagination, such conflicts are deeply rooted in “ancient hatreds” or inevitable “clashes of civilizations.” The pessimistic thesis of Samuel Huntington in “The Clash of Civilizations,” first published in Foreign Affairs in 1993, has resonated for two decades, spreading a mind-numbing presumption of hopelessness about life on a crowded Earth.
But this presumption invites a challenge, which Karl E. Meyer and Shareen Blair Brysac have delivered in “Pax Ethnica.” As veteran scholar-journalists and, it so happens, husband and wife, Meyer and Brysac journeyed to five ethnically diverse societies on three continents to discover what works as antidotes to conflicts among peoples. This book should inspire wandering spirits to discover ethnically harmonious cities and regions and spread the word: “reasonable accommodation” can work, gloriously.
In this engaging book, two veteran journalists challenge that popular narrative by examining places around the world where diverse peoples have found ways to live together peacefully: from the Indian state of Kerala, where Hindus, Muslims, and Christians have prospered together; to the Russian republic of Tatarstan, where the Muslim majority has lived peacefully with the Orthodox Christian minority; to the borough of Queens, in New York City, where a dizzying array of ethnic, religious, and language groups coexist. As Meyer and Brysac say “For two years we voyaged through four continents in search of societies that had attained ethnic peace, or its proximate facsimile.” The book is a sort of travelogue, laced with local histories and colorful personalities. But it lacks a unifying argument about why some diverse places thrive and others erupt in violence. Capable political leadership appears to help, as does a shared sense of citizenship, complete with rights and protections. Alas, those insights are only faintly present in the book.
The last chapter presents guidelines “for promoting civility in diverse societies.” This is a good title for anyone interested in successfully living with diversity.
- In trying to devise a formula of co-existence and progress for groups seemingly destined to compete with each other, the authors take on a heavy burden. As they point out, the principle of self-determination and the negotiation of treaties protecting minority rights have been imperfect pathways to protecting ethnic diversity. These political tools nonetheless provide the much needed historical context for some of the authors’ case studies.
- Meyer and Brysac explore life in Flensburg, a town in the state of Schleswig-Holstein at the northern tip of Germany, just across the border from Denmark. The Iron Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, and the Third Reich long counted Schleswig-Holstein as part of Germany. The doctrine of self-determination had worked its will after World War I when the German majority in south Schleswig voted to remain within Germany.
- But the post-World War II reality has proven far more nuanced. Denmark magnanimously traded land for peace with its defeated aggressor neighbor. The Bonn Copenhagen Declarations of 1955 established enough autonomy for Schleswig-Holstein to forge its own
- distinctive preservation of Danish culture and recognition of other minorities. The Danish minority was guaranteed cultural and civil rights.
- In the Indian state of Kerala, the comity that binds together Hindus, Muslims and Christians rests upon an exceptionally high literacy rate, particularly among women, and a thriving economy fueled by strong democratic instincts. Everyone’s holidays are celebrated. As one local professor proclaims, “In Kerala, there is no Hindu water and no Muslim water.” Sashi Tharoor, a worldly former United Nations official representing Kerela as a parliamentarian in New Delhi, said: “If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali — a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each taste different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast.”
- Meyer and Brysac journey to the Russian republic of Tatarstan to understand how a society populated by Sunni Muslims of Tatar origin and Russian Orthodox Christians, as well as about 70 smaller ethnicities, exists peacefully. The key was a pact with Moscow that granted substantial self-rule to Tatarstan. Russia’s then President Boris Yeltsin told Tatarstan’s inhabitants to “take all the sovereignty you can swallow.” And they have done so while continuing their tradition of interfaith marriages.
- In 1990, Tatarstan’s Supreme Soviet unanimously issued a rights-rich “Declaration of State Sovereignty” that was approved in a popular referendum. Tatarstan entered into a bilateral treaty with Russia that granted the republic some foreign-affairs powers and further solidified its autonomous character.
- There remains a repressive environment for human rights and press freedom in Tatarstan, so not all is well there. Politics is dominated by a ruling elite. But the republic did not experience the fate of Chechnya, which declared independence following the collapse of the Soviet empire and then suffered defeat in a devastating war with Yeltsin’s army.
- Marseille, a luckily situated seaside metropolis with mythical and historical traditions, survived France’s violent autumn of 2005 relatively unscathed. The young people of the city proudly described themselves as “Marseillais” above all other identities and joined with others to project a great sense of optimism. There are at least 27 ethnic groups in Marseille, but what distinguishes the city “is that succeeding migrant communities settled in the city’s central area, so that newcomers have long been clearly visible near administrative and political headquarters.” Europeans returning from the Algerian morass in the early 1960s tested the city’s tolerance and strengthened it for the future.
- Meyer and Brysac journeyed across the East River to Queens, N.Y. The mantra “Nobody lives in Queens” is patently false, and they discovered a metropolis devoid of a city center but remarkably embracing diversity in 62 branches of the Queens Public Library, where cultural exploration is the norm. Streetwise New Yorkers find their most engaging home among the 2.3 million residents of a borough where 138 languages are spoken.
- Meyer and Brysac conclude with a set of guidelines for ethnically harmonious societies. “Fear not the persistence of minority tongues.” Someone should whisper that in the ear of politicians across this incredibly diverse land as they campaign to preserve E Pluribus unum (out of many, one).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is “PAX ETHNICA” about?
A: “PAX ETHNICA” is a book authored by Karl E. Meyer and Shareen Blair Brysac. It delves into the subject of peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and religious groups in cities around the world, emphasizing the importance of tolerance, understanding, and effective governance in fostering harmonious societies.
2. How can the themes of “PAX ETHNICA” be relevant for essay writing in UPSC exams?
A: The themes explored in “PAX ETHNICA” are highly relevant for essay topics in UPSC exams, particularly those related to social cohesion, multiculturalism, governance, and conflict resolution. Understanding how diverse societies manage to coexist peacefully can provide valuable insights for candidates to analyze and propose solutions to contemporary societal challenges.
3. Can you provide a brief summary of “PAX ETHNICA” suitable for UPSC preparation?
A: “PAX ETHNICA” presents case studies from cities like Mumbai, Marseille, New York, Belfast, and Jerusalem, where diverse communities have managed to live together peacefully despite historical conflicts and differences. The authors highlight the role of factors such as economic interdependence, political leadership, cultural exchange, and grassroots initiatives in maintaining harmony amidst diversity.
4. How does “PAX ETHNICA” contribute to the understanding of multiculturalism and diversity?
A: “PAX ETHNICA” offers a nuanced understanding of multiculturalism and diversity by showcasing real-world examples of successful integration and coexistence. By examining the strategies and challenges faced by diverse communities, the book underscores the importance of inclusivity, respect for difference, and dialogue in fostering a cohesive society.
5. What are some key takeaways from “PAX ETHNICA” that can be applied to essay writing for UPSC exams?
A: Some key takeaways from “PAX ETHNICA” include the significance of inclusive governance, the power of grassroots initiatives, the role of education in fostering tolerance, and the necessity of recognizing and celebrating cultural diversity. Candidates can use these insights to develop well-rounded essays addressing issues of social cohesion and diversity management.
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