What are the differences between underlying causes and proximate causes of ethnic conflict?

In the study of ethnic conflict, scholars such as Michael Edward Brown distinguish between underlying causes and proximate causes, noting that both must generally be present for such conflicts to evolve.1

Underlying Causes

Underlying causes represent the structural, political, economic, and cultural factors that predispose certain regions or societies to violence. These include:1
* Structural factors: Such as weak or failed states, ineffective legal institutions, and the geographic distribution of ethnic groups.23
* Political and economic factors: Including political exclusion, economic disparities, corruption, and administrative incompetence.23
* Cultural and perceptual factors: Such as problematic group histories, stereotypical perceptions, and grievances regarding discrimination against religious or cultural practices.4

Proximate Causes

Proximate causes act as the catalysts or triggers that ignite conflict. These are categorized by the level at which they are instigated (elite or mass) and their origin (internal or external):15
* Internal mass-level factors: Described as bad domestic problems.1
* External mass-level factors: Referred to as bad neighborhoods.1
* External elite-level factors: Known as bad neighbors.1
* Internal elite-level factors: Identified as bad leaders.1