Connecting `Race' and Ethnic Phenomena

Abstract

This paper seeks to connect `race' and ethnic phenomena and locates this discussion within a multiculturist context that seeks to redress racial disadvantage by providing for ethnic difference. It is argued that the connection between race and ethnic categories is more fundamental, and yet the connection between fighting racism and ethnic pluralism is more problematic than this position implies. Ethnicity and racism are different but connected discourses for articulating collectivity and belongingness, and serve diverse political projects which include those of class and nation building. The paper rejects the view that they can be explained with reference to a generic race or ethnic process. Their understanding as concrete social relations however, requires attending to gender and class processes and the state.