Concepts of Ethnicity

authored by

Wolfgang Gabbert

Abstract

While ‘ethnicity’ is one of the most intensely discussed concepts in the social sciences, there is no general consensus on the exact meaning of the term. This article starts with an overview of its etymology and present usage. It then proposes a formal definition of ethnicity as a specific form of social differentiation whereby actors use cultural or phenotypic markers to distinguish themselves from others. It is argued that ethnic communities are not a ubiquitous form of social organization. A distinction is suggested between ‘nation’, ‘ethnie’, and ‘ethnic group’ to account for the huge difference in the social bases and political potential of individual ethnic communities.

Organisation(s)

Sociology Department

Type

Article

Journal

Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies

Volume

1

Pages

85-103

No. of pages

19

ISSN

1744-2232

Publication date

04.2006

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Cultural Studies, Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1080/17486830500510034 (Access: Closed)