Jacques Bertrand — Is Democracy Still Relevant to Reduce Secessionist Conflict?
January 17, 2022
Political experts have been questioning the stability and influence of global democracy as violent uprisings and secessionist movements have been on the rise, particularly across Asia. In his latest book, Democracy and Nationalism in Southeast Asia From Secessionist Mobilization to Conflict Resolution, Dr. Jacques Bertrand, professor of Political Science and director of the Collaborative Master’s Program in Contemporary East and Southeast Asian Studies (CESEAS), conducts a critical analysis on the intersection of democracy and violence by examining the political and social history of five Asian countries. At a time when democracy’s survival is being questioned, Bertrand aims to answer the question of whether democracy reduces or exacerbates nationalist conflicts, and the reason for varying outcomes.
In a research talk for the East-West Center in Washington, he highlights the long term utility of sustained democratic processes over the short term results of repressive movements. In the conclusion of his talk, Bertrand emphasizes that credibility and uncertainty are key determinants on the outcome of democratic transitions, and compromises and deep accommodative strategies are necessary to prevent the rise of nationalist conflict.
