Aid Efficiency in an Armed Conflict : The Role of Civil Society in Escalation of Violence in the North Caucasus

This study is an analysis of civil society’s participation in conflict resolution and implementation of aid efforts in the North Caucasus. Its main goal is to explore the role of civil society in conflict de-escalation in three autonomous republics in the Russian North Caucasus - Dagestan, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria, which are the scene of a recently emerged armed conflict. It is suggested here that escalation of violence as well as failing humanitarian, development and democratization efforts are linked to the involvement of civil society in the conflict. In contrast to mainstream theories of conflict escalation in the North Caucasus, which seek answers for the current growth of violence in economic and ethnic grievances, the main argument of this thesis connects the escalation of violence with inability of local and international civil groups operating in the region to serve as a balance between state and population in safeguarding human rights and implementing peace-building efforts. As a result, lack of civil rights and freedoms in conjunction with grave human rights violations are serving as an obstacle to aid efforts and fueling the conflict. Furthermore, this study explores peace-building opportunities in the North Caucasus and prospects of implementing peace from the bottom-up by local and international NGOs