Ethnicity

Almost without exception, the societies of the world are multiethnic. The decline of empires, the appearance of new states, the expansion of communication networks, demographic trends, the weakening of the legitimacy of state authority have brought ethnic relations into the spotlight. The purpose of this book is to develop analytic tools, concepts, perspectives that can be used in a wide variety of circumstances, contributing not only to our understanding, but also to humane policies. The author develops clear and reasonable usages for the central terms: ethnic group, nation, race, pluralism, assimilation, and dissimilation, among others. He documents the range of experiences covered in discussions of ethnicity. Ethnic differences are involved in some of the world s most intractable conflicts. They are also experienced as the source of the most satisfying and the most essential aspects of life."