Er minoritetsvern god realpolitikk?

The document argues that protecting minority rights is a prerequisite for lasting stability and a key element of a security-oriented foreign policy. It examines various power-sharing models—inclusion, portioning, and restrictions—concluding that rights-based restrictions on power are most effective for long-term peace. Case studies on Iraq, Syria, and Myanmar illustrate how the lack of minority protections can exacerbate conflict dynamics and how democratic transitions via majority-rule elections can paradoxically increase the vulnerability of minorities, such as the Rohingya.

• The Norwegian government asserts that there is no contradiction between value-based foreign policy and realpolitik, arguing that promoting human rights and minority protections is a necessary condition for creating stable societies and preventing migration from crisis areas.
• Among three power-sharing models—inclusion (elite quotas), portioning (federalism/territorial division), and restrictions (independent institutions and rights)—rights-based restrictions are identified as the most effective for long-term stability because they prevent leaders from using systematic oppression.
• In Iraq and Syria, the violation of minority rights was not the primary cause of the wars, but these rights significantly influence the form, dynamics, and consequences of the conflicts, including the displacement of populations.
• A 'minority paradox' exists in the Middle East where strong collective group rights are necessary for short-term protection when the state is weak, yet these same group rights can hinder the re-establishment of a strong state capable of guaranteeing individual rights.
• Democratic transitions through majority-rule elections in Myanmar have not improved the situation for minorities and have instead empowered the Bamar majority and increased hate speech against the Rohingya.
• In Myanmar, the 1982 Citizenship Law and four specific laws protecting 'race and religion' continue to discriminate against religious minorities, particularly Muslims, by regulating marriage, conversion, and family policy.
• The Dayton Agreement in Bosnia is cited as an example where ethnic-based fundamental rights and high degrees of autonomy for entities led to parallel societies, mistrust, and discrimination against those not belonging to the majority in specific entities.

APA

Plesner, I. T., & Stensrud, E. (2016). Er minoritetsvern god realpolitikk? Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/8625b32d-5eda-40e4-bee2-13dff6246e9d/Minoritetsvern og maktfordeling - nokkel til fred i aktuelle kriser.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Plesner, Ingvill Thorson, and Ellen Stensrud. Er minoritetsvern god realpolitikk? Peace Research Institute Oslo, 2016. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/8625b32d-5eda-40e4-bee2-13dff6246e9d/Minoritetsvern og maktfordeling - nokkel til fred i aktuelle kriser.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Plesner |first1=Ingvill Thorson |last2=Stensrud |first2=Ellen |title=Er minoritetsvern god realpolitikk? |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |date=2016 |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/8625b32d-5eda-40e4-bee2-13dff6246e9d/Minoritetsvern og maktfordeling - nokkel til fred i aktuelle kriser.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{plesner2016minoritetsvern, author = {Plesner, Ingvill Thorson and Stensrud, Ellen}, title = {{Er minoritetsvern god realpolitikk?}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, year = {2016}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/8625b32d-5eda-40e4-bee2-13dff6246e9d/Minoritetsvern og maktfordeling - nokkel til fred i aktuelle kriser.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }