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.
2.
3.
4.
Situational nature of ethnic group identity
Attributes of ethnic groups
Fluidity of ethnic group identity
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.
Republics and Autonomous
Provinces of Yugoslavia

The republics
and provinces
more or less
correspond
with the
territories of
major ethnic
groups.
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)
b)
c)
d)
a minority within a multicultural state
a named social category defined by race
a named social category defined by
perceptions of shared social experience
or ancestry
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)
b)
c)
d)
are ethnic nationalities
are becoming assimilated
are subnationalities
desire a homeland
Answer: c

Most of the ethnic groups in America are
subnationalities.
3. Genocide:
a)
b)
c)
d)
is a form of ethnic cleansing
is an attempt to assimilate a group
includes relocation of a group
all of the above
Answer: a

Genocide is a form of ethnic cleansing.