Ethnicity (Oxford Readers) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192892746 ISBN 13: 9780192892744

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1996

Synopsis

Although the term "ethnicity" is recent, the sense of kinship, group solidarity, and common culture to which it refers is as old as the historical record. Ethnic communities have been present in every period and on every continent, and have played an important role in all societies. The sense of a common ethnicity remains a major focus of identification for individuals even today. Ethnic community and identity are also often associated with conflict, particularly with political struggles in various parts of the world. Yet there is no essential connection between ethnicity and conflict, and in many instances, relations may in fact be peaceful and cooperative.
This Oxford Reader offers explanations for the often contentious nature of ethnicity, its worldwide effects, and the possible means for overcoming conflicts. It includes extracts by all the major contributors to debates on ethnicity, including Weber, Brass, Hechter, and Horowitz, and focuses on ethnic groups in the Middle East, the Balkans, Africa, and North America, as well as other areas.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Although the term 'ethnicity' is recent, the sense of kinship, group solidarity, and common culture to which it refers is as old as the historical record: ethnic communities have been present in every period and continent. Ethnic identity is often associated with conflict, particularly with political struggles in various parts of the world, but there is no essential connection between ethnicity and conflict. So why is the nature of ethnicity so contentious? Can ethnic conflict ever be resolved? This Oxford Reader includes extracts by all the major contributors to debates on this important concept.

About the Author

Anthony D. Smith is Professor of Sociology at the LSE. John Hutchinson is Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities at Griffith University in Brisbane, where he teaches modern European history. Together they have edited the Oxford Reader on Nationalism (1994) which continues to be hugely successful.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0192892746
• ISBN 13: 9780192892744
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 472
• Editor: Hutchinson John, Smith Anthony D.