The ‘rediscovery’ of ethnicity: Theory and analysis

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

9 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

12/04/2008

Category :

Political science

Sub category :

Social sciences

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Summary :

Introduction.
Theory and analysis.
The context for the 'Rediscovery' of ethnicity.
Classical theories and the marginalization of ethnic phenomenon in sociology.
The period of transition: 1970s and 1980s.
The 1990s and emergent research trends.
Identity construction.
1. Citizenship.
2. National identities and nationalist movements.
Advances and challenges.
Conclusion.

Abstract

The end of a millennium provides a rare opportunity to reexamine and assess achievements. In the sociological study of relations between diverse ethnic, racial and minority groups it marks a real, rather than a largely symbolic, watershed. There has been major transformation in the form and significance attached to these relations, both academically and in more popular discourse. Research on ethnic phenomena as disparate as immigrant incorporation, nationalism and indigenous human rights movements have moved from the margins of sociological relevance to mainstream debate and theorization as well as generating wider academic and political interest in a manner which is scarcely matched in other areas of sociology. 'ethnicity' is not unproblematic for it has divergent conceptualizations ranging from 'primordial sentiment' to 'epiphenomenon'. However, it comes closest to encapsulating the many forms of ethnic phenomena considered in this chapter. All involve individuals by virtue of their membership in diverse ethnic groups. Common to definitions of ethnic groups is that they are social solitary groupings or collectivities which have a shared sense of people hood and a real or putative common ancestry based on distinctive attributes such as territory, nationality, language, religion, and/or physical appearance. When ethnic groups are also seen as socially constructed the nature of ethnic group membership and the processes involved in this, as well as the relations between ethnic groups, become inherently problematic.