Theories of Ethnic Identity

Question 1

What are the three ethnic types?

Answer 1

1. Tradition-directed minorities
2. Marginal group
3. Middleman minorities

Question 2

What are tradition-directed minorities?

Answer 2

E.g., aboriginals, migrants from rural areas

Question 3

What are marginal groups?

Answer 3

Trapped between two worlds e.g., aboriginals from reserves

Question 4

What are middleman minorities?

Answer 4

Usually small business owners (e.g., chinese, east indians)

Question 5

What are the four circumstances people are born in to?

Answer 5

1. Social closure
2. Internal colonial model
3. Dual labour market
4. Ethnic enclave

Question 6

What is social closure (circumstance people are born into)?

Answer 6

Defined as being in a situation in which one group will exclude another on the basis of the other groups externally identifiable characteristics (race, religion, etc). To avoid social closure, people will have to lose identities to become part of the organizations they want to join (because of dress codes, language requirements, etc).

Question 7

What is the internal colonial model (circumstance people are born into)?

Answer 7

After a country gains independence, the descendants of the former colonizers govern the interests of the dominant ethnic group and culture. E.g., indigenous peoples segregated like second class citizens

Question 8

What is a the dual labour market (circumstance people are born into)?

Answer 8

Employers may hire immigrant workers who are willing to work for lower wages. Workers in host country are opposed to immigration while they take advantage of cheap labour.

Question 9

What is the ethnic enclave (circumstance people are born into)?

Answer 9

Racial or ethnic groups who are able to stake out their own territory within the community. Ethnic businesses may serve the community who want a ‘taste’ of other ethnic cultures.

Question 10

What are the three common bonds of how ethnic groups emerge as interest groups?

Answer 10

1. Shared interests - include common political, economic, and social status. May include the struggle for language rights, employment equity, right to join labour unions.
2. Shared institutions - may include organizations such as political parties, educational systems, financial services. groups are bound together by their dependence on shared institutions.
3. Shared culture - Customs or traditions that serve to bring members of an ethnic group or community closer together.

Question 11

How does the emergence of new ethnic groups occur?

Answer 11

Colonization and intermarriage, rearrangement of national boundaries.