Since the end of the Cold War, civil wars and genocides from Yugoslavia to Rwanda have aroused fears that national and ethnic conflict threatens the foundations of international order. Observers fear that the end of the Cold War has unleashed uncontrollable ethnic and national violence. Not all divided states have experienced such polarization and conflict, however. The focus on sensational examples of state collapse and ethnic violence obscures the existence of stability and cooperation in other settings. Why have some states experienced serious ethnic conflict while others have not? Is it possible to use the examples of peaceful coexistence to avoid violence and civil wars? Is partition the only answer to ethnic divisions, or are there ways to build peaceful coexistence? Among the cases to be discussed include the former Yugoslavia, the new states of the former Soviet Union, India, Canada, Iraq, and Lebanon. Seminar format. Requirements: a research paper, a couple of response papers and an exam. No prerequisites. International Relations Subfield