Boersma, Marleen THE (IM)POSSIBILITY OF OVERCOMING ETHNORELIGIOUS DIVISIONS Moral Foundations and Intractable Conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Master thesis, Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation.
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Abstract
This thesis examines how moral foundations shape individual and collective dispositions regarding ethno-religious divisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). By integrating the Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) into the analysis of intergroup dynamics, the research explores how moral foundations – Care, Fairness, Loyalty, Authority, and Sanctity – influence conflict perceptions and reconciliation attitudes of the three ethnic groups in BiH: Bosniak Muslims, Orthodox Serbs, and Catholic Croats. The findings indicate that while moral foundations influence how groups perceive their goals, they do not directly cause intractability. All three communities share a fundamentally similar moral framework, suggesting that ethnic divisions persist not because of differing moral values but despite shared moral concerns. The Loyalty foundation emerges as the only polarizing factor, with Bosniaks emphasizing national loyalty, whereas Serbs and Croats exhibit stronger ethnic group allegiance. Furthermore, exclusionary and negative framing of moral concerns - by politicians, the media, and citizens - also reinforces group solidarity while deepening distrust in state institutions. The study highlights practical steps for reconciliation, including symbolic concessions, future-oriented discourse, regional cooperation, and systemic reforms to improve institutional fairness. Ultimately, the findings underscore the potential of leveraging moral foundations as a tool for conflict resolution by identifying shared values that can foster constructive collaboration. Further research is needed to refine these insights, expand the participant sample, and explore causal links between moral foundations and conflict dynamics. By doing so, it might be possible to develop more effective reconciliation strategies and build a shared vision for BiH’s future.
| Type: | Thesis (Master) | ||||||||||||
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| Degree programme: | Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation | ||||||||||||
| Academic year: | 2024-2025 | ||||||||||||
| Date of delivery: | 03 Feb 2026 11:03 | ||||||||||||
| Last modified: | 03 Feb 2026 11:03 | ||||||||||||
| URI: | https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/896 |
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