"An ethnicity or ethnic group is a grouping of people who identify with each other on the basis of perceived shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups."
An overview of sociological, anthropological, and political theories regarding the formation, maintenance, and contestation of ethnic identities.
Ethnicity definition and characteristics: Introduction to the concept of ethnicity and its defining features such as shared cultural, and/or historical traits, language, religion, etc.
Ethnic conflict and violence: The seemingly inevitable challenges that come with ethnic diversity and the sources of conflicts resulting from it.
Nationalism and national identity: The role of nationalism in shaping ethnic identities and politics.
Interethnic relations: The dynamics between different ethnic groups and how they relate to each other.
Assimilation and integration: The different approaches to cultural assimilation of immigrants and minority groups as a means of ethnic integration.
Ethnic prejudice and discrimination: The different forms of discrimination and prejudice against people of different ethnic groups as a means of separation.
Diaspora and transnationalism: The global dispersal of people of shared ethnic origins and its impact on ethnic identity.
Comparing ethnic movements: The study of different ethnic movements and how they mobilize on issues of ethnic identity and political organization.
Ethnicity and globalization: The impact of globalization on ethnic identity, culture, and politics.
Intersectionality of ethnicity and other social identities: The analysis of how ethnicity interacts with other identities such as gender, class, and sexuality.
Ethnogenesis: The study of the origins and formation of ethnic groups.
Ethnicity and power: The ways in which ethnic identity and politics intersect with relations of power.
Postcolonial ethnic studies: How race and ethnicity impact colonialism and its legacy.
Ethnicity and representation: The dynamics of ethnic representation in different social and cultural contexts.
Ethnicity and migration: The role of ethnicity and identity in the process of migration and resettlement.
Primordialism: This theory posits that ethnicity is an inherent and natural part of an individual's identity, stemming from a person's ancestry, culture, and biological makeup. According to this perspective, ethnicity cannot be altered or chosen, and it exists before any political or economic factor.
Instrumentalism: This theory suggests that ethnicity is a tool used to achieve a particular objective, such as political or economic advantage. In this perspective, ethnicity is invented or "constructed.".
Constructivism: This theory argues that ethnicity is a product of individual and social interactions that help determine personal identities and cultural beliefs, and it is constantly evolving and changing. This theory leaves space for agency and difference.
Culturalist: Culturalist theory posits that ethnicity is shaped by socio-cultural practices, such as customs, beliefs, and languages.
Marxist and Neo-Marxist: This theory contends that ethnicity (along with other forms of identity) arises out of divisions created by economic, political, and social factors such as capitalism, imperialism, and inequality, arguing that without a strong leader oppressed or marginalized groups can’t create changes through cross-border coalitions, and therefore any change is a utopian effort.
Essentialism: This is a view that emphasizes and fixates certain observable cultural or physical characteristics as the only qualities that can provide the proper definition of a particular ethnic group. Essentialism reinforces the perpetuity of nationalism through specific 'unquestionable' traits.
"Those attributes can include a common nation of origin, or common sets of ancestry, traditions, language, history, society, religion, or social treatment."
"The term ethnicity is often used interchangeably with the term nation, particularly in cases of ethnic nationalism."
"Ethnicity may be construed as an inherited or societally imposed construct."
"Ethnic membership tends to be defined by a shared cultural heritage, ancestry, origin myth, history, homeland, language, dialect, religion, mythology, folklore, ritual, cuisine, dressing style, art, or physical appearance."
"By way of language shift, acculturation, adoption, and religious conversion, individuals or groups may over time shift from one ethnic group to another."
"Ethnic groups may be divided into subgroups or tribes, which over time may become separate ethnic groups themselves due to endogamy or physical isolation from the parent group."
"Formerly separate ethnicities can merge to form a pan-ethnicity and may eventually merge into one single ethnicity."
"The formation of a separate ethnic identity is referred to as ethnogenesis."
"Earlier 20th-century 'Primordialists' viewed ethnic groups as real phenomena whose distinct characteristics have endured since the distant past." "Perspectives that developed after the 1960s increasingly viewed ethnic groups as social constructs, with identity assigned by societal rules."
"Ethnic groups may share a narrow or broad spectrum of genetic ancestry, depending on group identification, with many groups having mixed genetic ancestry."
"Ancestry, traditions, language, history, society, religion, or social treatment."
"Language shift, acculturation, adoption, and religious conversion" can lead to shifts in ethnic identity.
"Mythology, folklore, ritual, cuisine, dressing style, art, or physical appearance."
"Ethnic groups may be divided into subgroups or tribes."
"Endogamy or physical isolation from the parent group."
"Formerly separate ethnicities can merge to form a pan-ethnicity."
"Whether through division or amalgamation, the formation of a separate ethnic identity is referred to as ethnogenesis."
"Earlier 20th-century 'Primordialists' viewed ethnic groups as real phenomena whose distinct characteristics have endured since the distant past." "Perspectives that developed after the 1960s increasingly viewed ethnic groups as social constructs."
"Identity assigned by societal rules."