Inter-Discursive Dynamics and Darfur: Analyzing Narrative Complexity Behind
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Inter-Discursive Dynamics and Darfur: Analyzing Narrative Complexity Behind Responses of the United Nations and African Union, 2003-2006 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at George Mason University by Kathryn E. Crewe Master of Public Policy Harvard University 2002 Director: Sara Cobb, Professor School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution Spring Semester 2015 George Mason University Fairfax, VA ! This!work!is!licensed!under!a!creative!commons!! attribution5noderivs!3.0!unported!license.! ii DEDICATION) This is dedicated to all of the people of Darfur, who deserve to write their own story, as well as my father, the original Dr. Crewe. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS) I would like to thank the many friends, relatives, and supporters who have helped me complete this dissertation. All of those I interviewed, who shall remain anonymous, generously contributed their time and honest input. My friend, Nicole, assisted me in transcribing hours and hours of interviews. My husband, Brian, patiently listened to me frame and reframe my research questions. My mother attended my conference presentations in Europe to show her support. Finally, thanks to Sara Cobb, Susan Hirsch, and Tojo Thatchenkerry for helping me translate ideas into words on paper. iv TABLE)OF)CONTENTS) Page List of Tables ................................................................................................................... viii! List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix! List of Abbreviations ......................................................................................................... ix! Abstract .............................................................................................................................. xi! Chapter One: Introduction .................................................................................................. 1! The Positivist Approach to Decision-Making Analysis .................................................. 7! Taking an Interpretive Approach to Decision-Making Analysis .................................. 10! Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 18! Organization .................................................................................................................. 21! Chapter Two: The Darfur Conflict ................................................................................... 24! Territory and Local Governance ................................................................................... 26! Ethnic and Tribal Identity ............................................................................................. 28! Regional Conflict and Racist Ideology ......................................................................... 30! Political Islam ................................................................................................................ 32! Environmental and Demographic Pressures ................................................................. 36! Central Government Neglect and Oppression ............................................................... 38! The Darfur Rebellion .................................................................................................... 39! International Response .................................................................................................. 41! Summary ....................................................................................................................... 46! Chapter Three: Literature Review .................................................................................... 47! Frames ........................................................................................................................... 50! Narratives and Counternarratives .................................................................................. 54! Discourse and Storylines ............................................................................................... 60! Summary of Analytic Frameworks ............................................................................... 68! Chapter Four: Methodology .............................................................................................. 70! Inter-Discursive Narrative Complexity Analysis .......................................................... 71! v Communities of Meaning .......................................................................................... 77! Framework for Analyzing Narrative Complexity ..................................................... 77! Data Collection .............................................................................................................. 79! Limitations, Possible Objections, and Refutations ........................................................ 87! Chapter Five: Architecture of Meaning ............................................................................ 91! Mapping Communities of Meaning .............................................................................. 92! Architecture of Meaning ............................................................................................... 96! Advocacy: The Responsibility to Protect .................................................................. 97! Human Rights: International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law ..................... 100! Humanitarian: Impartiality and Neutrality .............................................................. 104! United Nations: Comprehensive Solutions .............................................................. 106! African Union: African States and African Solutions ............................................. 110! Academia: Local Ownership ................................................................................... 112! Summary of Communities ....................................................................................... 114! Chapter Six: Inter-Discursive Narrative Complexity Analysis ...................................... 123! Early 2003-Early 2004: Complexity and The Lens of the South ................................ 126! Early to Late 2004: Discourse Structuration ............................................................... 135! Mobilization of Bias—the Rwanda Storyline ......................................................... 143! Late 2004 to Early 2005: Argumentative Struggle ..................................................... 160! Complex Counternarratives ..................................................................................... 162! Storylines Positioning Advocates as Harmful ......................................................... 171! Re-Positioning by Advocates and Recompression of the Storyline ........................ 174! Approaching Discourse Institutionalization ............................................................ 182! Late 2005-Early 2006—Discursive Hegemony .......................................................... 186! Dominance of a Discourse Coalition ....................................................................... 187! Discourse Institutionalization .................................................................................. 193! Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 206! Chapter Seven: Discussion ............................................................................................. 209! Significance of the Case for Discursive Policy Analysis ............................................ 210! Significance of the Case to Conflict Resolution ......................................................... 212! Importance of this Research ........................................................................................ 216! Additional Questions for Research and Exploration ............................................... 220! vi Annexes ........................................................................................................................... 224! I.! “Helicopter” Interview Questions ......................................................................... 224! II.! “Key Player” Interview Questions ...................................................................... 225! References ....................................................................................................................... 226! vii LIST)OF)TABLES) Table Page Table 1. Barbara Stone (1989), Causal Stories and Policy Agendas ................................ 68 Table 2. Findings by Time Period ................................................................................... 118 Table 3. Examples of Discursive Affinity ...................................................................... 120 Table 4. Possible Generalized Typology of Simplified Narrative Features ................... 219! viii LIST)OF)FIGURES) Figure Page Figure 1. Darfur ethnic groups (Human Rights Watch, Darfur Destroyed: Ethnic Cleansing by the Government and Militia Forces in Western Sudan, 7 May 2004). ....... 34 Figure 2. Darfur migration routes, UN Humanitarian Information Center (HIC), 2005. 37 Figure 3. Crude Mortality Rates in Darfur as Reported in 81 Surveys (Degomme, 2011). ........................................................................................................................................... 43