Ecoprastuti Paper Presentation Competition

Topic:
Rising Militancy – Is economic development solution

Submitted By: Vini Soni

Email Id: vinisoni06@gmail.com

Institute Name: Indian Institute Of Foreign Trade , Delhi

 Abstract

Militancy, governing lives and countries since archaic times, is now seen weakening onto the
ladders of economic development.

Conversed as the sublimation of both internal and external factors militancy is having a
widespread effect on both developing and developed countries, the connecting factor being
the economic conditions prevalent in both.

The case study talks about socio-economic development as a long term solution to effectively
tackle militancy problems by improving the social conditions of people residing in affected
areas and by apprizing the economic conditions prevailing there. The economic development
leading to a cascading effect to overall development of the region and of decline of militancy.
Introduction: Militancy is a continuum malady. It is as old as the human history itself and
can trace its roots to the espials of time. The ancient Greek empire and Roman Empire were
plagued with militancy throughout their journey until when the empires were on a decline.

Militants as a whole form the armed uprisings against the established government, an internal
factor rather than an external one like terrorism which can be seen more of an external threat
to a nation, though the lines between the two are blurry almost to the point of disappearing,
so much so that the two have become synonymous. When the militancy in a region gets
affected by external factors like support of other militant/terrorist organizations and states, it
has a more widespread effect and takes the form of terrorism itself.

Militancy, a poor man’s weapon?: Large number of African countries like Somalia, Sudan,
Sierra Leone, Chad, Congo and many more, have long suffered the problems with militancy
and are still struggling, either with militancy or with its aftermath. Much closer to home, Sri
Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan has been facing enormous challenges against ethnic militancy
for decades now. Militancy is not a reality faced not only by the developing world but has
been part of the developed world as much. Spain had been plagued with the ETA for decades
and Russian government has been continually challenged by the Chechnya separatists. India
itself has been suffering from militancy issues for a very long time. Though geographically
and culturally different, one common thread that connects them all is the economic conditions
prevalent.

Consider this, the per-capita income in Somalia is $600, Sierra Leone is about $332, Congo at
a dismal $173 and all these nations rank at the bottom in the Human Development Index
(HDI). To compound the problems, long time militancy has pushed the economic factors in
the countries further south. Similarly the militant movements began in Sri Lanka because of
continual sidelining of the ethnic Tamil population in the country in the social and economic
fronts. The militancy in Pakistan has been concentrated in and around the tribal areas of
NWFP.

In India, militancy can be divided into three distinct geographical areas, the separatist
movements in North Eastern states, the Naxal militant outfits in the tribal parts of the states
of Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and the separatist movement in the state of
Jammu and Kashmir and all these areas have been traditionally the neglected parts of the
country with very low economic development.

The militancy in most of these areas has been a result of either economic suppression of
ethnic groups and geographic areas or low economic development of the entire nation
altogether. Militancy in all these areas has either worsened the existing problems, as in the
African nations or drove down the existing good economic conditions, as in the Basque
movement in Spain.

Economic development, a solution: A poor and hungry man is obviously prone to picking
up a gun rather than one who is not. The most potential future militant is a poor unemployed
youth in the militancy affected areas. Militancy either follows economic ruin of a region or
society or causes it. In any case militancy definitely compounds the existing problems. The
most obvious solution to tackle militancy as used by most of the governments is the use of
state force against the militant force. On one hand use of force is definitely required to
maintain the law and order in the region, on the other hand though the authorities need to take
a proactive approach to tacking militancy and improve the general economic conditions. The
point that needs to be seen here is that when the government spends more resources on its
military forces to tackle militancy, the less resources it has to use for economic development.
This in turn leads to further deterioration of the economic state of the region, leading to a
vicious cycle. A middle solution needs to be found where one solution is not compromised at
the cost of other, rather complemented.

Consider the example of the militancy situation in the North Eastern states of India. Assam,
Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram are the most affected states. The militant organizations in
these areas thrive on the population’s angst towards the state’s apathy and neglect of the
region. The problem in Indian scenario though is not about inadequate resource spending in
the areas, but rather the rampant corruption at state and regional levels that impede the
resources from reaching the common man. These states lag far behind the rest of the country.
For example the per capita GNP of these states average at $547 against the national average
of $1016. Government needs to take strong steps to improve overall infrastructure in this
region and some key sectors especially tourism sector. The North Eastern India holds a great
potential as a huge tourism hub, especially an eco-tourism hub. Tourism in the region would
not only translate into greater GDP for region but also help curb the unemployment thus
leading to fall in the potential future militants. This region also has a high potential for
agricultural development and Small-medium scale industries (SME). Improved infrastructure
in terms of schools, hospitals would also lead to general well-being of the local population
and help drive down the militancy.

Another point that needs to be noted here is that the militant organizations thrive in the
regions with the support of the local population, which sees these militant organizations as
saviours from the oppressive state governments. The local community provides support in
terms of finance, food, shelter and recruits to join these outfits as well. The local population
needs have to be catered to as well as spreading of awareness about the militancy and its ill-
effects.

Basque Spain, Tackling militancy through economic development: The most shining
example of militancy being tackled through the economic development is with respect to the
Basque separatist movement in Spain started by the militant outfit ETA. The ETA began its
movement in early 1960s with the objective of the independence of Basque region into a
separate state. At the time before the onset of militancy in the region, Basque was one of the
richest provinces of Spain with per capita GDP higher that national and European levels. In
late 1990s after 3 decades of conflict, the region slipped to sixth position in the per capita
GDP. The Basque militancy specifically targeted the industries and corporations for extortion
kidnappings (to finance the militant operations). The turnaround for the region came around
1998 when the ETA declared a truce (though a very fickle one) and the government began
development of the region, presently Basque country is the richest province in Spain with per
capita GDP significantly higher (about 30%) than national average, with large industries and
position of the region as an agricultural powerhouse of the country.

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org
2. http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~aabadie/ecc.pdf
3. http://sampark.chd.nic.in/images/statistics/SDP2005R6.pdf
4. http://www.isc.hbs.edu/