Ethnicity and Ethnic Groups

Historical Aspects

authored by

Mathias Bös

Abstract

The term ethnicity is used for a broad spectrum of groups in history. Ethnic community building is used to foster solidarity in macro-group structures, to legitimize social inequalities by descent, and to fulfill individuals' need for belonging. In the social sciences there is a growing consensus that ethnicity is socially constructed and historically contingent, but that many people perceive it as an important, unchangeable part of their identity.

Organisation(s)

Sociology Department

Type

Contribution to book/anthology

Pages

136-141

No. of pages

6

Publication date

12.03.2015

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Social Sciences

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.62015-9 (Access: Closed)