Oppression in Xinjiang: Rhetorical Parallels to the Causal Mechanisms

Author

Christina Elizabeth Anderson, Utah State University

Date of Award

5-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Political Science

Abstract

This paper compares the framings of ethnic conflict with theoretical political science explanations of the causes of such conflict. Framings are statements used to portray the who, what, and why of an issue through the emphasis or exclusion of information to create a specific agenda. The theoretical expectation from social science is that ethnic conflict is a result of a commitment problem, where the two parties in the conflict cannot credibly guarantee the protection of the other. This arises from situations where there is a large minority group population that is underrepresented from government and has grievances from economic disparities or religious or ethnic repressive policies which causes them to mobilize. I used the example of the conflict between Uyghur Muslims and Han Chinese in Xinjiang as narrated by Chinese newspapers and the Associated Press (a U.S.- based news organization) to analyze whether the causes of conflict are present in framings. I performed a comparative content analysis to uncover the framings that both internal and external actors are using, the differences between them, and their congruence with universal expectations from political science analyses of ethnic conflict. I found that the framings of the conflict by both internal and external actors are congruent to causes of ethnic conflict in many of the articles analyzed, though the actors use them to advance their own interests and narratives. The findings of the relationship between the communication around an issue and the theorized causes help us interpret narratives surrounding issues of ethnic conflict. A more effective policy response is possible because we understand which aspects are salient to the actors and which aspects have not been addressed.

Recommended Citation

Anderson, Christina Elizabeth, "Oppression in Xinjiang: Rhetorical Parallels to the Causal Mechanisms" (2023). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 968.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/968