Problems in Defining Ethnicity Essay

Introduction

The demographic pattern in the world is made up of people with different characteristics. People are identified and differentiated from one another based on a number of variables. Such variables include, among others, race, age, social background, and nationality. The most common variable through which persons are identified is ethnicity. There are different ethnic groups in contemporary world. In fact, it is not strange to find one country with a number of different ethnic groups into which the citizens are organized. In the opinion of Chandra (2006), understanding people’s ethnicity is beneficial in many ways. For example, one is able to explain the various behavioral patterns exhibited by an individual based on their ethnic background.

The reason is that different ethnic groups are associated with different cultures and behavioral patterns. However, one should be careful not to generalize behavior patterns based on ethnicity. Such generalizations may lead to, among others, biases.

By defining ethnicity, and in extension, ethnic identities, one can improve on the existing theories touching on the subject matter. What this means is that there are different theories that try to explain ethnicity. For a person to understand the various theories explaining this concept, they need information on what ethnicity and ethnic identity is all about. Chandra (2006) suggests that once a definition of ethnicity is in place, several concepts about the phenomenon can be developed and explained.

In this essay, the author appreciates that there are a number of problems associated with the definition of ethnicity. To this end, the author examines some of the definitions of ethnicity that scholars have put forward. The author will conduct a comparative analysis of the definitions with a focus on the problems associated with each. The author will rely on the writings of Chandra (2006) to illustrate the points of departure from a common definition of ethnicity. In addition, the author examines certain aspects associated with ethnicity that make its definition a challenge to both students and scholars.

To this end, Brubaker (2009) sheds some light on the need to create a distinction between race, nationalism, and ethnicity. The distinction will come in handy when highlighting the problems associated with the definition. In addition, the author will examine ethnic conflict as an element of ethnicity in contemporary society. Eller (1999) suggests that different ethnic groups elicit discussions on the topic of ethnicity as a whole.

Ethnicity: A Brief Background

As already indicated above, an understanding of ethnic groups allows for a proper definition of the concept ‘ethnicity’. Eller (1999) provides a working definition of the concept ‘ethnicity’. The scholar views the concept as the manner in which different ethnic groups differ from each other owing to the use of their respective cultural aspects. A deeper understanding of the subject matter is provided by Burgess (as cited in Eller, 2009). Burgess states,

“……ethnicity is the character, quality or condition of an ethnic group membership. (The membership is) based on an identity with and/or a consciousness of group belonging that is differentiated from others by symbolic markers . (It) is rooted in bonds (created by) shared past and perceived ethnic interests” (Eller, 1999, p. 8).

From the aforementioned definition of ethnicity, it follows that there are various variables related to the subject matter. The various variables need to be addressed before one embarks on the journey to the definition. Chandra (2006) points out that one of the main problems associated with the definition of this phenomenon is the understanding of the different concepts about ethnicity. It is important to note that one should fully understand the paradigm of ethnic groups. Another challenge that faces the definition of ethnicity is the distinction between the same, race, and nationalism. In this essay, the author examines some of these problems in a bid to define ethnicity from the different perspectives proposed by different scholars.

Concepts of Ethnicity

Ethnicity is an important subject in the social sciences. Many scholars and students have dedicated their time to studies aimed at understanding this phenomenon and explaining the different concepts related to it. As a subject in social sciences, ethnicity has various components and concepts that allow for a deeper understanding of the same. According to Chandra (2006), one cannot define ethnicity, or ethnic identities for that matter, without understanding the meaning of ‘identity’. To this end, the scholar suggests that in any society, the members are entitled to belong to a number of groups or categories. Identity is viewed as the social category to which members of a given society are entitled to belong.

Just like any other social phenomenon, ethnicity is a complicated subject. Chandra (2006) cites ethnic diversity, ethnic political parties, ethnic conflicts, and ethnic voting patterns as some of the main concepts behind the subject matter. A comprehensive definition of ethnicity ought to take into account all these components. Taking into consideration all the components ensures the definition is understood properly. The concepts mentioned above are as a result of various factors. Religion, skin color, place of birth, and the language is spoken by an individual are important factors in determining the different concepts of ethnicity (Chandra, 2006).

Defining Ethnic Groups

In the opinion of Chandra (2006), ethnic identities are understood from the context of one’s descent. To this end, the scholar argues that a comprehensive definition of ethnic identity must take into consideration the various ethnic groups in a society. Consequently, ethnic identity implies that an individual is entitled to belong to a particular ethnic group. What this means is that in a given society, individuals identify with one or more of the various ethnic groups. If one is born to parents from two different ethnic groups, they may identify with those two groups. Understanding what an ethnic group is all about enables a scholar or a student in this field to define ethnicity. The reason is that an ethnic group is an important element of ethnicity (Eller, 1999).

Eller (1999) approaches the problems associated with the definition of ethnicity from an anthropological perspective. The scholar tries to understand the nature of conflict by viewing it in the context of ethnicity. To this end, Eller (1999) defines an ethnic group as an avenue through which people identify with a given social category in society. In such cases, people find common ground with regards to their social behavior and sentiments (Eller, 1999).

However, it is important to point out that a given society has other social collectibles apart from ethnic groups. Brubaker (2009) conceptualizes the problems associated with the definition of ethnicity from a political science perspective. In their writings, the scholar makes reference to such factors as a tribe, nation, race, and class. Brubaker (2009) identifies the factors mentioned above as some of the social collectibles in a given society. The existence of these factors implies that there is more than one way to define an ethnic group. Such an argument is made by Webber (as cited in Eller, 1999). Webber defines an ethnic group as follows:

“…one of those human groups that entertain a subjective belief in their common descent because of similarities of physical type or of customs or both, or because of memories of colonization and migration. (As a result), it does not matter whether or not an objective blood relationship exists” (Eller, 2009, p. 12).

Criteria used in Identifying Ethnic Groups

Overview

In the discourse above, the author of this essay has looked at the various definitions of an ethnic group. An analysis of the different definitions reveals that ethnicity is basically an explanation of what an ethnic group is all about. Chandra (2006) emphasizes that ethnic groups are the foundation of ethnicity in society and in the academic field. As a result, there is need to identify the different ethnic groups in the society. A number of criteria are used to isolate such groups. One of them is the biological criterion. Another is the cultural criterion. In their anthropological perspective of ethnicity and related definitions, Eller (1999) argues that the aforementioned criteria are best suited for the identification of ethnic groups. The criteria are discussed below:

Biological criteria

Eller (1999) suggests that this criterion is important in identifying ethnic groups in society. The criterion is effective in identifying persons indigenous to an area. To this end, individuals who were born and raised in a given location are identified as belonging to a given ethnic group. In this criterion, ethnic identities are based on genealogy and not migration. To a certain extent, DNA tests are conducted to ascertain whether one is indeed a member of a given ethnic group or not.

Cultural criterion

Researchers who are keen on identifying a person’s ethnic identity may make use of this criterion. It is preferred over the biological criterion given above for a number of reasons. For example, the criterion does not abuse the privacy of groups and individuals (Eller, 2009). In using this identification criterion, researchers rely on the uniqueness of a people’s culture

Race, Nationalism, and Problems in Defining Ethnicity

As aforementioned, defining ethnicity is usually hindered when one is unable to distinguish between it on the one hand and race and nationalism on the other hand. According to Brubaker (2009), there is a thin line separating ethnicity, race, and nationalism. However, the three subjects have their own unique meanings. The differences between the three help in defining ethnicity. As such, one can argue that some problems in defining ethnicity can be addressed by distinguishing between the three. Brubaker (2009) suggests that nationalism connotes unity of a particular group of people. Such individuals are bound together by patriotism to their country. In such cases, people pledge allegiance to a given country even though they may not be natives.

Race, on the other hand, is based on the structural similarities between given groups of individuals (Brubaker, 2009). To this end, persons with similar structural features are considered to belong to a particular race. Such features include, among others, skin color, shape, and color of the eye, and hair color. In the context of ethnicity, it is erroneous to rely on people’s race in determining their ethnicity. An example of such erroneous determination is noticed among the Whites or Caucasians members of a given society. Eller (1999) argues that such individuals may have similar physical characteristics. However, they may possess different linguistic and cultural behaviors. As such, it is fallacious to define the ethnicity of a given group of persons based on race and nationalism.

Conclusion

Ethnicity is an important element of a given society. Understanding this phenomenon enables one to appreciate the behaviors of a particular group of persons. Eller (1999) suggests that conflict is one of the major components of ethnicity. Therefore, there is a need to understand what ethnicity is all about when defining the concept. In this essay, the author illustrated various challenges encountered when defining ethnicity. Some of the problems encountered in defining ethnicity emanate from the various components associated with the subject matter.

In this essay, it was found that a definition of ethnicity must take into account the different components of the phenomenon. Ethnic identity is such an element that needs to be understood in defining ethnicity. The definition must also take into account, ethnic groups. In this essay, ethnic groups were defined from the anthropological approach adopted by Jack Eller. Finally, ethnicity should not be confused with nationalism or race since they are distinct elements. However, Brubaker points out that in certain instances, ethnicity, race, and nationalism blend together to create ethnicity.

References

Brubaker, R. (2009). Ethnicity, race and nationalism, Annual Review of Sociology, 35, 21-42. Web.

Chandra, K. (2006). What is ethnic identity and does it matter?. Annual Review of Political Science, 9, 397-424. Web.

Eller, D. J. (1999). From culture to ethnicity to conflict: An anthropological perspective on international ethnic conflict. Michigan: Michigan University Press. Web.