ETHNICITY

 

ETHNICITY

 

The term ethnicity and ethnic group are often used interchangeably. In actually, although the two terms are closely related there is a nuance dividing them. While ethnic group is a social group based on ancestry, culture or national origin, ethnicity refers to affiliation or identification with an ethnic group.

The term "ethnicity" refers to the shared culture, practices, values and beliefs of a group. There may also be a common language, religion and traditions between them. An ethnic group is a collection of people whose members identify with each other through a common heritage, consists a common culture which may also include shared language or dialect. Common ancestor, religion or race may also be a focal point of Group's ethos or ideology.

According to sociologist Max Weber, there are three reasons why ethnic groups are a social construct and an artificial construct. First of all, they're based on an objective view and second, that belief didn't form the group but it was put out by a group. Third, the drive for monopoly of power and position has led to group formation.

Michael Brown defines ethnicity as a sense of belongingness to a particular ethnic group constituted by people who have

·         common descent/common ancestor

·         common roots (real or mythical)

·         a name /identity (ex Naga, Sindhi, Jews, Baloch etc)

·         shared or collective past (which glorified by their members)

·         collective ties, unity, solidarity, a sense of loyalty and emotional attachment

·         common origin (concept of sons of soil, homeland)

·         common dress, language, customs, traditions, foods, values, ideology etc

According to Brown ethnic culture could be forged on the basis of culture like language. For example Partition east and west Pakistan was based on Bengali language and culture.

Ethnicity is a very diverse and heterogeneous concept. Ethnicity could be on the basis of religion like in Myanmar there is Buddhist versus Rohingyas. Tribalism, territory and race could also be the strong base of ethnicity.

The distinction between race and ethnicity was made by Milton J. Yinger. Ethnicity, according to him, is a sociological construct. There are identifiers of ethnicity in culture. He argued that ethnicity takes the role of race in sociological study. This replacement phenomenon began around 1950. Till colonialism was present they used race to legitimize their imperialism ex-Nazis in Germany. After 1950, decolonization began in many nations, and the idea of race was abondoned. He defines ethnic groupings as well. According to him, ethnic groupings make up a subset of a wider community that is culturally distinctive or different. The group's members have the same self-perception. There are existing cultural emblems and distinctions among them. Ethnic distinctions are mental constructs, or differences that are experienced.

APPROACHES

PROMORDIALISM /ESSENTIALISM    

Within the primordialist framework there are at least two framework, two different views.

The Sociobiological Perspective: (Edward Shills,  P. Van den Berghe) Ethnicity or ethnic identities are natural, innate or intrinsic. Ethnicity is ascribed means by virtue of birth in a particular ethnic group. Ethnic identity develops and persists due to the common ancestral bonds of group members. An implication of this view is that ethnicity will never perish because kinship always exists. According to this view ethnicity is ascribed.

The Culturalist Perspective: (Clifford Geertz) it underscores the importance of a common culture in the determination of ethnic group membership. This view emphasizes on common culture i.e. common language, common religion, common ideology etc determines the genesis and tenacity of ethnic identity even in the absence of common ancestor. A persons socialization into a particular ethnic group shapes his/her beliefs, ideology, thought etc.

Limitation of theory:

·         Perspective cannot explain why ethnic membership or identities of individuals and groups change

·         It cannot fully account why new ethnic identities such as Asian-Americans emerge among biologically and culturally diverse groups

INSTRUMENTALIST APPROACH

Daniel Bell stated that “ethnicity has become more salient because it can combine an interest with an effective tie”

Cohen suggested that “cultural homogenity of people facilitates their effective organization as an interest group and boosts ethnic solidarity and identity.

According to Paul Brass ethnicity is a SOCIAL CONSTRUCT, which deliberately created as a tool or instrument by the elites of a particular ethnic group to achieve his goals or aims or objectives.   

To gain political, social and economic benefits they mobilize masses through collective action like strikes, agitation, protests, demonstration, political actions etc. For example

Demand of Nagas for a separate Nagaland

Demand by Sikhs for Khalishtan

Demand of Ghurkhas for a separate state

Rational choice perspective: (Banton and Hechter): assumes that people act to promote their socio-economic positions by minimizing the costs of, and maximizing the potential benefits of, their actions. This theory maintains that ethnic affiliation is based o the rational calculation of the costs and benefits of ethnic associations. Some people favour an ethnic affiliation because it is beneficial while other hide or deny an ethnic identity because it will bring disadvantage.

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