Ethnic balancing in politics is vital. This balancing — the situation where different ethnic groups are represented fairly in government, institutions and public life — helps ensure that the voices and interests of all citizens, including ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples, are heard and considered in the political process and in making the laws and policies that help address various concerns and lead to improved economic, political and other beneficial outcomes for all. But, according to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, there is a lack of ethnic balancing in politics in many countries including Kenya, Myanmar and Ethiopia that keeps different ethnic groups outside politics, despite its importance.
Political, cultural and other reasons put barriers to ethnic balancing in politics in different countries. Institutional designs including the electoral systems that favor certain groups over others, political strategies that exploit ethnic divisions and discrimination and systemic inequities are crucial barriers. While the extant institutional designs put hindrances to ethnic balancing in politics in many countries, the ruling party or the government sometimes makes various favorable institutional designs excluding rival political parties or ethnic groups to represent a certain ethnic group in power, leading to ethnic imbalance in politics in some countries including some less democratic countries. The barriers also encompass the politicization of ethnicity or the role of elites in shaping ethnic perceptions and the absence of freedom of speech.
But the lack of ethnic balancing in politics often leads to various negative outcomes, impacting certain groups of people in various aspects of their lives. It leads to increased societal divisions, political instability and economic repercussions. Amongst the others, the absence of ethnic balancing in politics can also result in persistent social exclusion, social discrimination and ethnic conflicts, especially through increasing ethnic polarization and the potential for grievances to fester. Rwanda, Uganda and Myanmar are some of the examples where the conflicts are related to the lack of ethnic balance in politics. In Myanmar, ethnic armed organizations in several states and civilians have been fighting against the military for various reasons including the deprivation of ethnic groups.
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But, hopefully saying, various steps of the governments have helped make an ethnic balance in politics in different countries. Different countries have been implementing laws, policies and strategies that promote the representation of diverse ethnic groups, addressing systemic inequalities and fostering a sense of belonging for all ethnic groups. Some countries including Burundi, Nepal and Montenegro have implemented ethnic quotas to ensure representation in legislatures, leading to an ethnic balance in politics. But there are also various flaws in the efforts, leading to limited outcomes in different countries including ethnically conflicting countries. There is a lack of political will, resistance from established power structures and a lack of trust among ethnic groups.
But given the positive outcomes of ethnic balancing in politics and the potential for beneficial political, economic and other outcomes of it for all, it is vital in many countries. For this, a multifaceted approach that focuses on legal protections, structural reforms and community empowerment will greatly be helpful. Enacting and implementing anti-discrimination laws, implementing affirmative action policies and ensuring inclusive electoral systems can be helpful in many countries. Though ethnic quotas in the parliament are not needed or are irrelevant in many countries, the inclusion of them can be helpful in many other countries— at least to a certain extent.
Addressing the root causes of ethnic exclusion, including historical injustices and discrimination, that will help build inclusive political institutions also requires the promotion of increased tolerance among diverse ethnic groups. But among the diverse parties, the role of the government is vital for making an ethnic balance in politics, not only in making relevant laws and policies but also in holding talks with non-state armed groups. But among the countries, ethnic balancing in politics is more important in those countries including Ethiopia and Sudan where there are ethnicity-based conflicts.
