(Estimated Pub Date) the Challenge of Ethnic Conflict to National and International Order in the 1990S: Geographic Perspectives- October 1995

Approved for Release: 2018/06/01 C00123268
Concluding Comments: Implications for the
United States and the International Community:
Problems and Prospects
Stanley D. Brunn
Professor of Geography
University of Kentucky
During the past two days we have heard a number of
formal presentations about ethnic conflict and national-
ism in various world regions. These examinations of
ethnic and cultural compositidn and conflict, as well as
the panel discussions, illustrate the ways geographers
look at the world and how they envision contemporary
and future worlds. In summarizing the conference, I
would like to make the following observations:
' We live in two different worlds. First, I would like to
thank those individuals for organizing a conference
devoted specifically to ethnic conflict, nationalism,
and changing world order and for inviting academic
geographers to share with members of the Intelli-
gence Community what they know—and do not
know—about the current political world. I see this
conference as serving many useful purposes, one
being that while “we live in _two different houses,”
we share much in common, especially our interests
in being able to understand what is happening around
the world-—-whether in regard to ethnic conflict,
nationalism, or emerging democracies. It is impor-
tant that the avenues of communication and informa-
tion sharing between those the university and
govemment intelligence communities remain open.
' How do we look at the world? I-low we look at the
world reflects our backgrounds as well as our day-
by-day work experiences and assignments. These
experiences are of utmost importance in helping us
and others see how we look at our culture vis-a-vis
others.
The Dynamic Political World
What Is the State of the World Political Map?
At any time it is useful to remember the state of the
world, or, better stated, the world political map. That
0
map reflects constant dynamism in name changes—
border adjustments, political realignments, as well as
flashpoints and conflict. There are a wide variety of
states with varying degrees of stability and instability.
It is important to keep in mind that world order and
disorder can be viewed in a variety of contexts. While
the term new political order may be in vogue this year,
there is not just one order, but many. At various times
and places on the world map, order or disorder can be
observed at local, regional, and macroregional levels.
We Live in Shared/Divided Spaces
All humans live to some degree in “bounded spaces.”
Some of those may be spaces defined by majority pop-
ulations, others defined by outside powers. Within
those bounded spaces, we often find people of varying
ethnic, religious, linguistic, racial, or other heritages.
The distribution of various groups often overlap.
Those groups may live in harmony-—shan'ng the same
work, play, worship, and family spaces or they may be
divided.
We Live in Local and Global Worlds
The world political map is much more complicated
than the standard reference maps that depict close to
200 political states. There are many scales at which
groups and communities interact. Some interactions
are local, others are global. It is important that those of
us who analyze political development acknowledge
these complexities.
Are We “Prisoners” of Our Maps?
In listening to the presenters the past several days and
in the discussions among panel members and the audi-
ence, it seems that we may, in fact, be “prisoners” of
our maps, especially the familiar political map of the
world—-which simplifies political space and rein-
forces the status quo. Do we still use time-honored
Mercator projections, which distort the spaces in the
high latitudes? Are the maps we use Europe centered,
as if subtly conveying the notion that Europe is the
most important region of the world? I-low do we look
at polar areas, with maps that have such areas at the
“top” and “bottom"? How do we look at the Pacific
Rim countries, with maps splitting the Pacific Ocean
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Approved for Release: 2018/06/01 C00123268