Date of Award

2016

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

Keywords

Collective Action Theory of Genocide, Crimes, Critical Discourse Analysis, Genocide, Sri Lanka, Tamil

Supervisor

Rudhramoorthy, Cheran

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

This thesis examines Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict and civil war within its post-independence period in order to determine if the atrocities committed against the Tamil minorities amounted to genocide. The research employed Hagan and Rymond-Richmond’s (2009) collective action theory of genocide. An integral part of this theoretical framework is state-led racial ideologies which this paper explored utilizing the methodology of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Specifically, using CDA this paper analyzed speeches articulated by Sri Lankan political elites who were complicit in the atrocities and responsible for inciting the violence against the Tamil minorities. The results from this research strongly suggests that Hagan and Rymond-Richmond’s theoretical model of genocide supports the case study of Sri Lanka.

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