Ethnic Identity: Problems and Prospects for the Twenty-first Century

In this thoroughly revised fourth edition with ten new chapters. Lola Romanucci-Ross and her co-authors provide thought-provoking discussions on the importance of ethnicity in different cultural and social contexts. They outline how social change as a result of interethnic conflict is a reality of human history and of modern times. Individual chapters propose that the history of social life in different cultures is a continual rhythm of conflict and accommodation between groups, both external and internal. The authors focus on the key topics of changing ethnic and national identities; migration and ethnic minorities; ethnic ascription versus self-definitions; and shifting ethnic identities and political control. There are chapters covering ethnic identities in Africa (including Zaire and South Africa). Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Thailand, the United States, and the former Yugoslavia. This new survey will serve as an excellent text for courses in race and ethnic relations, anthropology, and ethnic studies. Book jacket.