Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 85-103 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2006 |
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.
Keywords
- Class, Creoles, Ethnicity, Miskitu, Nation, Nicaragua, Theory, Tukanoans
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Cultural Studies
- Social Sciences(all)
- Anthropology
- Social Sciences(all)
- Sociology and Political Science
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In: Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, 04.2006, p. 85-103.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Concepts of Ethnicity
AU - Gabbert, Wolfgang
PY - 2006/4
Y1 - 2006/4
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Class
KW - Creoles
KW - Ethnicity
KW - Miskitu
KW - Nation
KW - Nicaragua
KW - Theory
KW - Tukanoans
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34347318954&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/17486830500510034
DO - 10.1080/17486830500510034
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34347318954
VL - 1
SP - 85
EP - 103
JO - Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies
JF - Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies
SN - 1744-2232
IS - 1
ER -