Professor Varshney talked about his book, Ethnic Conflict and Civic Life: Hindus and Muslims in India, published by Yale University Press. He analyzed the Hindu-Muslim violence that occurs in some Indian cities, contending that the key factor that differentiates cities that experience ethnic violence from those that do not is the existence of networks of multiethnic associations. These associations, including integrated business organizations, trade unions and political parties, work to prevent polarization along ethnic and communal lines. A question and answer period followed Professor Varshney's remarks.