Socio-economic influences on the active combat participants in Kosovo

Abstract

Within the context of the broader historical background of the region and the theoretical framework on security, socio-cultural diversity and political tolerance this particular research deals with the effects of socio-economic structure on tolerance and combat propensity. “Socio-Economic Influences on the Active Combat Participants in Kosovo” illustrates how and to what extent socio-economic status has had direct or indirect influence on the behavior of the active combatants in the highly complex conflict of Kosovo. In terms of research design, the work is grounded in the year-long data collection and theoretical research. The collected data is divided into two parts. The first part offers a systematic and quantitative representation of the group's demographics relating to their economic and social conditions. The second part qualitatively explores the motivations of those who participated in political violence in an effort to develop a more complete understanding of the conflict’s origins both on the individual and group level. The theoretical tools used are the Modernization theory, Cultural pluralism, Political instability and tolerance, and Human needs theory. The socio-economic analysis of political behavior, suggests possible correlation between Socio-Economic rank and tendencies towards political intolerance and combat propensity. It concludes that, while providing some key factors that help contribute to and evaluate the prospects of the much-needed viable peace building and sustainable institutions in divided societies; additional research is needed in studying issues of political tolerance in the region. Moreover, this model relies heavily on its socio-demographic and political tolerance theory predecessors while it is very cautious to take on the unambiguous psychological perspective.