Disputed Territories

Ethnic conflicts have shaped the 20th century in significant ways. While the legacy of the last century is primarily one of many unresolved conflicts, the author contends that Western Europe has a track record in containing and settling ethnic conflicts which provides valuable lessons for conflict management elsewhere. The author identifies the factors at work in disputes over borders from Northern Ireland to Alsace, South Tyrol and elsewhere, demonstrating that they can also provide the seeds for their resolution.