Arsonist or Fireman?
Religious Communities and the Collapse of Yugoslavia
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Religions are characterised by a fundamental ambivalence. They can stir up violence, but can also promote peace. Whether the violent or reconciliatory potential of religions is brought to bear in conflict situations depends on a number of endogenous and exogenous factors. The simple thesis according to which religions are always instrumentalised in conflict situations for political ends is problematic. This is seen in the role of religious communities in the collapse of Yugoslavia and the wars that followed.
(Osteuropa 9/2009, pp. 133–146)