Chapter 17 Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict

Chapter Outline  Ethnic Groups  The problem of Stateless Nationalities  Resolving Ethnic Conflict

Ethnic Group  A named social group based on perception of shared ancestry, cultural tradition, and common history that culturally distinguish that group from other groups.

Aspects of Ethnic Group Identity 1. Situational nature of ethnic group identity 2. Attributes of ethnic groups 3. Fluidity of ethnic group identity 4. Types of ethnic groups.

Situational Nature of Identity  situational nature of ethnic identity Chosen ethnic identity varies with context  hierarchical nesting Occurs when an ethnic group is part of a larger collection of ethnic groups, which together constitute a higher level of ethnic identity.

Attributes of Ethnic Groups  Membership is determined by ancestry.  Two attributes: 1. Origin myth or history. 2. Ethnic boundary markers.

Origin Myth  Common or shared historical experience that serves to unite and distinguish an ethnic group from other groups and give it a distinct social identity.

Ethnic Boundary Markers  A way of determining or expressing membership in an ethnic group.

Fluidity of Ethnic Group Identity  Ethnogenesis - the emergence of new ethnic groups  Portion of an existing ethnic group splits away and forms a new ethnic group.  Members of two or more ethnic groups fuse, forming a new ethnic group.

Types of Ethnic Groups  Nationality An ethnic group with a geographical region over which they have exclusive rights.  Subnationality An ethnic group that sees itself as a dependent and politically subordinate subset of a nationality.

Homeland  The geographical area, defined by history, that in their beliefs collectively and exclusively belongs to the members of that nationality.

Transnationals  Members of an ethnic community located outside their country of origin and homeland.

Civilization  A grouping of a number of different nationalities on the basis of a shared cultural historical heritage that collectively distinguishes them from other like groups.

Ethnic Conflicts  Becoming more common and destructive.  There are between 3,000 and 5,000 ethnic nationalities in the world but only 200 separate countries.  Most ethnic conflict is the result of minority nationals wanting to establish independent nations.

Artificial Countries  Multinationality countries created by external powers; usually applied to former colonies.

Regions of Iraq Occupied by Kurds, Sunni Arabs and Shiite Arabs

Resolving Ethnic Conflicts Two Historical Solutions 1. Ethnic homogenization of the population through elimination of rival ethnic groups. 2. Political accommodation of ethnic groups.

Ethnic Homogenization  The process by which one ethnic group attempts to eliminate rival ethnic groups within a particular region or country.

Ethnic Cleansing  Deliberate and systematic attempt by the dominant ethnic group to eliminate a rival ethnic group or groups within a geographical region.  Genocide  The deliberate and systematic attempt to destroy the unwanted ethnic population.

 The republics and provinces more or less correspond with the territories of major ethnic groups. Republics and Autonomous Provinces of Yugoslavia

Relocation  The forced resettlement of an unwanted ethnic group in a new geographical location.  Segregation  The dominant ethnic group places legal restrictions on the actions of the members of the dependent group.

Assimilation  The social absorption of one ethnic group by another, dominant one.  forced  The government of the dominant ethnic group adopts policies to destroy the ethnic identity of the less powerful ethnic group.  passive  More dominant ethnic groups absorb members of the less powerful group without formal planning or political coercion.

Accommodation  The creation of social and political systems that provide for and support ethnic group differences.

Quick Quiz

1. According to the definition in your text, an ethnic group is: a) a minority within a multicultural state b) a named social category defined by race c) a named social category defined by perceptions of shared social experience or ancestry d) non-existent, just like race

Answer: c  According to the definition in your text, an ethnic group is a named social category defined by perceptions of shared social experience or ancestry.

2. Most of the ethnic groups in America: a) are ethnic nationalities b) are becoming assimilated c) are subnationalities d) desire a homeland

Answer: c  Most of the ethnic groups in America are subnationalities.

3. Genocide: a) is a form of ethnic cleansing b) is an attempt to assimilate a group c) includes relocation of a group d) all of the above

Answer: a  Genocide is a form of ethnic cleansing.