Sahadevan examines the development of militarism in ethnic conflicts in South Asia through a comparative analysis of grievance formation, proximate causes, mobilization by ethnic groups, and counter-mobilization strategies by states in the region. He argues that militarism has not only resulted in significant cultural, social and economic devastation in South Asia, but has also proven ineffective as a strategy for the parties to achieve their ends. Nevertheless, both minority ethnic groups and states continue to address their differences through militaristic rather than political strategies because they underestimate their opponents' strength and overestimate their own power.

Sahadevan is associate professor of South Asian studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University and was a visiting fellow at the Kroc Institute in the spring semester of 1998.