In this work the Sri Lankan civil conflict and the Indian involvement at the end of the 1980s is examined by two different theoretical approaches that may fit the case and help describe patterns and actions of both sides. On the one hand two similar theories about regional power and small state behaviour in the face of a civil conflict in the small state by Benjamin Miller are taken out of their original context1 and applied to the case of Sri Lanka. In constituting India as the regional power and Sri Lanka as the small state in these scenarios, it can be examined whether this case can be seen as in accordance with Miller’s theories in the main points, and maybe even help to understand the processes around the Indo-Sri Lankan accord better. India will be checked according to its capabilities and interests in the region, which will show, if India’s peace keeping role was actually motivated mainly by a regional hegemonic ambition? And the question will be raised, if Sri Lanka accepted the accord out of its own will, or due to Indian dominace?
The second theoretical approach is the Two Level Games Theory by Robert Putnam. The Sri Lankan case actually seems to give a very fitting example for the main claims of this theory. Thus the work will look into the questions, if in both countries, India and Sri Lanka, a domestic position was present that supported an agreement like the Indo-Sri Lankan accord, but only through the combination of this inner motivations and outer pressures, made the signing of the accord - against all objectors - come reality? And further, how important were domestic factors in the signing of the accord?
The main part of the work will take the first theory, since it asks for plenty material and is also the first place to introduce the most facts and political sequences around the conflict that are not repeated afterwards.
Both theories are presented in a short overview and shortened were it was possible, giving an outlineof the theory that is understandable and makes working possible. Many facts, views and materials are only portrayed in outlines, too, and many illuminating quotes to keep the work in its frame and make the reading fluent.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The historical background of the conflict and India's Involvement
- The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord (29. July 1987)
- Regional Power and Small State Theories according to Benjamin Miller
- Factors influencing the attitude of Great Power towards Small States
- Application of Theory 1: Factors influencing the attitude of great powers towards Small States
- Relative capabilities in the South Asian region at the end of the 1980s
- Great power interests the South Asian region at the end of the 1980s
- The Indian doctrine of regional security
- Refugees and ethnic or religious minorities
- Foreign disinterest in the region
- Patters of regional conflict according to the capabilities and interests of the great powers
- Application of Theory 2: Patters of regional conflict according to the capabilities and interests of the great powers
- The Two Level Games Theory by Robert Putnam
- Implication of the Two Level Games theory on India
- India's domestic game
- International pressure on India
- Implication of the Two Level Games theory on Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka's domestic game
- International pressure on Sri Lanka
- Implication of the Two Level Games theory on India
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work aims to examine the Sri Lankan civil conflict and Indian involvement in the late 1980s through two theoretical approaches. It seeks to understand the dynamics of both sides using theories on regional power and small state behavior in the face of civil conflict, as well as the Two Level Games Theory.
- The role of India as a regional power in the South Asian region.
- The influence of domestic and international factors on the Sri Lankan conflict.
- The application of theoretical frameworks to analyze regional power dynamics and small state behavior.
- The impact of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord on the conflict and the respective positions of India and Sri Lanka.
- The interplay of domestic politics and international pressure in shaping the course of the conflict.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: Introduces the main focus of the work, outlining the theoretical frameworks to be applied and the key questions to be addressed. It also mentions the limited scope of the work and the need to simplify complex theories and facts for brevity.
- The historical background of the conflict and India's Involvement: Provides a historical overview of the Sri Lankan civil conflict, outlining the long-standing ethnic tensions between Sinhalese and Tamils. It highlights the key events leading to the escalation of the conflict, including the "Sinhala only Act" and the emergence of Tamil militant groups. The chapter also explores India's involvement in the conflict and its historical relationship with Sri Lanka.
- The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord (29. July 1987): Focuses on the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, discussing its key provisions and the context in which it was negotiated. It examines the motivations behind the Accord for both India and Sri Lanka, analyzing the roles of domestic and international pressures.
- Regional Power and Small State Theories according to Benjamin Miller: Presents two theories by Benjamin Miller related to regional power and small state behavior. The theories aim to explain the dynamics between powerful states and smaller states in the face of conflict. The chapter applies these theories to the Sri Lankan case, analyzing India as a regional power and Sri Lanka as a small state.
- The Two Level Games Theory by Robert Putnam: Explores the Two Level Games Theory by Robert Putnam, which analyzes how domestic politics and international pressures interact to influence international negotiations. The chapter applies the theory to the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, examining the domestic political contexts of both India and Sri Lanka and how they influenced their respective positions in the negotiations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts covered in this work include: Sri Lankan civil conflict, Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, regional power, small state, Tamil Eelam, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), India's involvement in Sri Lanka, domestic politics, international pressure, Two Level Games Theory, Benjamin Miller's theories on regional power and small state behavior.
- Quote paper
- Oshrat Becker (Author), 2006, The Indo-Sri Lankan Relations at the end of the 1980s': Approaches on India's Involvement in the Sri Lankan Ethnic Conflict facing the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord (29. July 1987), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/68080
