States have become increasingly multicultural. As a result, individuals of varying ethnicities have had to live side by side. The world has witnessed multiple genocides, and silently stood by; they have seen the result of collective violence and blamed historic grudges. The “us against them” mentality may be true in the minds of individuals, but it is insufficient in explaining occurrences of ethnic violence. The same is true for competition over resources; there are multicultural nations where food, water, and jobs are scarce, and peace is abundant.

What is it that leads some nations down a spiral of violence, and sometimes to genocide, while others are able to foster peaceful coexistence? In a future of uncertainty where genocides continue to occur and where nations are in constant danger of slipping into the mire, it is necessary to discern what causes ethnic violence, or what causes ethnic peace—different sides of the same coin.

The world is becoming more interconnected and ethnic groups are facing one another more often. In order to ensure peace, nations must learn how to cultivate societies of civic trust across ethnic lines. The purpose of this study is to answer two questions. First, what are the causes of both ethnic violence and ethnic peace? Second, how have master narratives, scarce resources, and democratic institutions influenced the occurrence or absence of ethnic peace? Constructivism, or the institutional argument, posits that the strength of political institutions best explains the occurrence or absence of ethnic peace. It is the only approach that answers how peace comes about; peace is not just the absence of violence. In an answer to instrumentalist arguments, constructivists find that institutions prevent circumstances such as political manipulation. Strong institutions create civic trust which means citizens believe that the ballot is more powerful than the bullet, or in many African cases, the machete.

Democratic outlets such as free and fair elections, viable opposition parties, and a free press enable individuals to enact change in the political system without murdering their neighbors.