PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Studies Program
Ingrid Peterson, Administrator
University of Michigan
1080 S. University, Suite 3633
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: 734.763.0622; Fax: 734.763.4918
email: [email protected]
War, Fears of Minorities, and Genocide
Dr. Armen Grigoryan Discusses Historic Violence against Minorities
ANN ARBOR, MICH., Feb. 17, 2010- Why do states use valuable resources
for exterminating internal minorities during times of external
conflict? Political scientist and Armenian Studies Post-Doctoral
Fellow Armen Grigoryan addressed this central question in his talk
"War, Fears of Minorities, and Genocide" which took place at the
University of Michigan on January 11th, 2010 as part of the University
of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Public Lecture series. Grigoryan holds
a PhD from Columbia University.
Grigoryan, an expert in international relations, argued that war
brings into question the commitment of national minorities. Building
on other studies that have suggest a causal link between war and
genocide Grigoryan examined three cases of mass murder during the 20th
Century: Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, Jews in Nazi Germany, and
Tutsis in Rwanda. Using historical evidence and contemporary
scholarship, Grigoryan situated these cases in a comparative context
to elucidate the motives of state actors and their perceptions of
national minorities.
Examining national minorities and the state’s understanding of
internal security are integral to understanding the way states
allocate resources during times of war. Grigoryan’s lecture, while
introduced as research in progress, raised significant questions about
the motivations of intrastate violence toward national minorities and
the perception of loyalty in times of heightened crisis. Upon
conclusion, Grigoryan addressed questions and comments from the
community. This lecture is now available on the Armenian Studies
Program website-
Armenian Studies Program
The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program promotes the
study of Armenian history, culture, and society. A member of the
University of Michigan International Institute, the program organizes
educational opportunities for students, faculty and the community.
For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at (734)
763-0622 or visit
University of Michigan International Institute
The University of Michigan International Institute houses 18 centers
and programs focused on world regions and global themes. The institute
develops and supports international teaching, research, and public
affairs programs to promote global understanding across the campus and
to build connections with intellectuals and institutions
worldwide. For more information, visit
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
