Three broad paradigms: - socio-economic factors: the lack of resources, poverty, and the ethnic balance of the Rwandan people. - political manoeuvrings by a small powerful elite which had gained power and wished to retain it - no matter the cost. This also includes an appeal to a racist ideology to preserve power. - extreme poverty coupled with the actions taken by the colonial rulers which exacerbated the divisions in the country, and created the potential for conflict.

socio-economic factors

Scarcity of economic resources and high population growth rates

together with competition for land, rising prices and overpopulation, caused social violence.

==Gerard Prunier== wrote the genocide is partly contributed by overpopulation. Prior to 1990, over 85% of Rwanda’s population lived below the poverty line.

Drastic drop of coffee prices worsen the situation.

political manoeuvrings

The government, including Habyarimana himself, was losing popularity from the Rwandan population. They wished to make RPF common enemy of the nation to better spread the radical Hutu ideology.

The past history of Hutu majority exploited by Tusti fanned the fire of the ideology, helping the government to retain its power from Hutu people. By using different propagenda means(radios, magazines, etc.), the division between two ethnic groups was formed and was viewed as reality.

==Keane== said Hutu extremist was essentially a useful tool by which the corrupted elite that ran the country could hold onto power

Colonial Roots

Action and inaction prior to and during the genocide by outsiders have generated debate, but it cannot be claimed that the international community deliberately caused the genocide through their actions.

France’s actions(army support, financial aid, etc. to the government) helped create the environment for the Rwandan government to carry out genocide.

The inactions of the international community(UN and others) gave the signal to the Rwandan government that they were able to get away with the extremist policies.