Conference on Social Conflict
University of Oslo and the Delhi School of Economics

(Conference Programme)

replica handbagslouis vuitton handbagsgucci handbagsprada handbagsburberry handbagscartier handbagsdior handbagslouis vuitton walletversace handbagsgivenchy handbagsfendi handbags

Conflict and violence remain an integral part of the human condition. We have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to resolve disputes and balance conflicts of interests among groups. These mechanisms include courts, electoral democracy, law enforcement, human rights watchdogs, international organizations like the United Nations or the WTO, and so on. Yet, millions of people have been killed in the last century in military conflict, civil war and government repression. Our institutions have so far proved inadequate in preventing the large scale loss of life and property, the terrible scars on bodies and minds, that conflict brings in its wake. In India, in spite of the many achievements of our young democracy, we remain saddled with religious riots, separatist movements and an armed Maoist insurgency in large parts of the country.

Understanding a problem of this magnitude and urgency requires the resources of many disciplines in the social sciences. A two day interdisciplinary workshop on social conflict was arranged at the economics department in the Delhi School of Economics to bring together multiple perspectives on the issue and facilitate a dialogue between them. National and international scholars, from disciplines as varied as economics, sociology and political science, presented their research to each other and critically examined the work of others. Participants included scholars from Yale, New York University, the University of Oslo, Delhi University and the Institute for Economic Growth. Proceedings of this workshop have enriched our understanding of conflict.

The conference was funded by a grant from the Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, and financial support from the Centre of Equality, Social Organization and Performance (ESOP) at the economics department, University of Oslo.

Organizing Committee:

• Kalle Moene (University of Oslo)
• Debraj Ray (New York University)
• Rohini Somanathan (Delhi School of Economics)
• Mausumi Das (Delhi School of Economics)
• Parikshit Ghosh (Delhi School of Economics)