Destabilising identity structures: The impacts of domestic and international policy programs in the 1994 Rwanda genocide

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the impact of policy on people's identities, and the conflicts which can result from this.

Design/methodology/approach

The case of the Rwanda genocide is used to examine identity disturbances related to policies.

Findings

Identity adjustments generated by policies can have devastating effects such as genocide. This raises the issue of national decision makers' responsibilities as well as those of the international institutions advocating and enforcing such policies.

Research limitations/implications

This study implies that we need to consider the impacts of policies on people's identities and to extend such empirical research.

Practical implications

The issue of institutions' responsibilities must be discussed, for both national and international institutions; and a precautionary principle in decision making must be set for expert advisors.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the links between economic policies and their effects on individual identity, an area which has not yet been examined in economic studies.

Citation

Ballet, J., Mahieu, F. and Radja, K. (2007), "Destabilising identity structures: The impacts of domestic and international policy programs in the 1994 Rwanda genocide", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 34 No. 1/2, pp. 37-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290710723354