DOCUMENT RESUME

Dominant- ethnic group conflict can be treated as either an independent or dependent variable. In this paper, dominant-ethnic conflict is discussed as the dependent variable. The paper's objectives are to: (1) present a preliminary sociological realistic theory of dominant-ethnic conflict; (2) compare and contrast the theory in terms of 2 types of models (a "static model" and processual system); (3) illustrate by the processual system the theoretical advantages of considering "feedback loops"; and (4) discuss the methodological distinctions in terms of a classification of different types of relations and linkages. The type of conflict discussed is one which is infrequent, intense, and violent. The theory holds that conflict between an ethnic and a dominant group is a function of 13 independent variables. Among these 13 variables are the competive threat, large power differences, loss of powerfu