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Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- About the Editor -- About the Section Editors -- Contributors -- 1 Exploring Global Ethnicity: A Broad Sociological Synopsis -- Introduction -- Exploring Some Sociological Debates -- Ethnicity, Communal Boundaries, and Group Dynamics -- Ethnicity and Nationalism -- Ethnicity and Race -- Shifting Ethnicity, Self, and Others -- Ethnicity and the State -- Racism and Subconscious Bias -- Ethnic Diversity and Assimilation -- The Process of De-ethnicization -- Ethnicity and Intersectionality -- Ethnicity and Affirmative Action -- Conclusion -- References -- Part I: Nexus Between Ethnicity and Identity -- 2 Ethno-cultural Symbolism and Group Identity -- Introduction -- Conclusion -- Cross-References -- References -- 3 Cultural Socialization and Ethnic Consciousness -- Introduction -- Neoliberal Globalization and the Commodification of Culture -- Tourism -- Development -- Social Media -- Conclusion -- Cross-References -- References -- 4 Historical Memory and Ethnic Myths -- Cross-References -- References -- 5 Indian Identity in South Africa -- Introduction -- Community and Belonging -- Isolation and Exclusiveness -- Fixed Identity -- Conclusion -- Cross-References -- References -- 6 The State and Minority Nationalities (Ethnic Groups) in China -- Introduction -- Defining Nationality -- Chinese Nationalities Policy -- Problems -- Terrorism or Separatism? -- An Alternative Approach to Human Rights -- Conclusion: Between Autonomy and Unity -- Cross-References -- References -- 7 Ethnic Blindness in Ethnically Divided Society: Implications for Ethnic Relations in Fiji -- Introduction -- Ethnic Blindness -- The Integration (Ethnic Blindness): Accommodation Debates -- Accommodation -- Integration -- Colonial Rule and the Politicization of Ethnicity in Fiji -- Constitutionalizing Ethnicity in Post-independent Fiji.

This publication provides a comprehensive and cutting edge analysis of ethnicity through diverse multi-disciplinary lenses. It explores numerous aspects of ethnicity and how it is linked to a range of contemporary political, economic and social issues at the global, regional as well as local levels. In a world where globalization has enveloped and transformed societies through economic and financial integration, social media networks, knowledge transfer, trans-national travel, technology and education, there is a tendency to frame issues largely from the standpoint of economic, political and strategic interests of the dominant powers. Issues such as ethnic and cultural identity are often ignored partly because they are too complex to deal with. In this regard, the study of ethnicity is critical in delving deeper into people's worldviews, perceptions of each other, relationships and sense of identification to help us uncover some of the deeper perceptions and meanings of social change as seen and shared by cultural groups as they adapt to the fast changing world. To better inform ourselves of the complexities of ethnicity and relationship to contemporary global developments and challenges, an approach which is people-centred, balanced, comprehensive and research-based is needed. The Handbook's multidisciplinary approach provides conceptual and empirical narratives across different disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, political studies, cultural studies, media studies, literature, law, development studies and economics, to name a few. It includes comparative case studies from different parts of the world to enrich our understanding of the diverse experiences. The articles focus on contemporary issues and situations while drawing from historical reflections and lessons. The idea is not only to illuminate the intricacies of ethnic identity but also to provide innovative ideas to help understand and address some of the contemporary challenges associated with these in our world today

Section A: Ethnicity and identity in the contemporary era (12 chapters) -- 1) Ethnicity, race and identity today: Theoretical debates -- 2) Ethnic classification and pluralism in a globalized world -- 3) Ethno-cultural symbolism and group identity -- 4) Ethnic boundaries and cross-ethnic relationships -- 5) Cultural socialization and ethnic consciousness -- 6) Kinship, tribe, genealogy and ethnicity -- 7) Ethnicity, class and nation in a changing world -- 8) Ethnic identity, power and the modern state -- 9) Historical memory and ethnic myths -- 10) Ethnic identity and the notion of motherland and land rights -- 11) Cyberspace, ethnicity and virtual identities -- 12) Globalization and multiple identities -- Section B: The state, society and ethno-politics (9 chapters) -- 1) The significance of ethno-politics in modern states and society -- 2) The state, citizenship and ethnic classification -- 3) Multiculturalism and state ideology -- 4) Assimilation and integration- Forced and voluntary -- 5) Regulating and legislating ethnic relations -- 6) The state and ethnic relations in China -- 7) Regime change and ethnic relations in Sudan -- 8) Ethnic state and communal policies in Indonesia -- 9) State secularism and ethnic assimilation in France -- Section C: Racial prejudice and stereotypes (11 chapters) -- 1) What is racism and how is it manifested?- 2) Construction of ethnic stereotypes -- 3) 9/11, "war on terror" and racial profiling, Police and racial profiling in UK and US -- 4) Structural racism and inequality -- 5) The basis of colonial racism and impact today -- 6) Media, racism and Islamophobia -- 7) White supremacist groups -- 8) Apartheid and post-apartheid racism -- 9) The resurgence of right-wing politics in Europe and US -- 10) Racial framing in global security -- 11) Colonialism, neo-colonialism and racial myths -- Section D: Conflict and ethno-nationalism (11 chapters) -- Section E: Intersectionality, mixed heritage and multiple identities (9 chapters) -- Section F: Indigenous groups and minorities (10 chapters) -- Section G: Globalization and Diaspora (12 chapters) -- Section H: Ethnic labour (14 chapters) -- Section I: Socio-economic conditions and ethnic policy responses (6 chapters) -- Section J: Ethnicity, constitutions and electoral systems (10 chapters) -- Section K: Ethnic cleansing, genocide and international justice (8 chapters) -- Section L: Immigration and refugees (12 chapters) -- Section M: Ethnic inequality and affirmative action (8 chapters) -- Section N: Addressing the ethnicity problems (12 chapters) -- Section O: Cultural renaissance and celebration of identity

Contested Terrain provides a cutting-edge, comprehensive and innovative approach to critically analysing the multidimensional and contested nature of security narratives, justified by different ideological, political, cultural and economic rationales. This is important in a complex and ever-changing situation involving a dynamic interplay between local, regional and global factors. Security narratives are constructed in multiple ways and are used to frame our responses to the challenges and threats to our sense of safety, wellbeing, identity and survival but how the narratives are constructed is a matter of intellectual and political contestation. Using three case studies from the Pacific (Fiji, Tonga and Solomon Islands), Contested Terrain shows the different security challenges facing each country, which result from their unique historical, political and socio-cultural circumstances. Contrary to the view that the Pacific is a generic entity with common security issues, this book argues for more localised and nuanced approaches to security framing and analysis.

The book is a critical examination of affirmative action, a form of preferential development often used to address the situation of disadvantaged groups. It uses a trans-global approach, as opposed to the comparative approach, to examine the relationship between affirmative action, ethnic conflict and the role of the state in Fiji, Malaysia and South Africa. While affirmative action has noble goals, there are often intervening political and ideological factors in the form of ethno-nationalism and elite interests, amongst others, which potentially undermine fair distribution of affirmative action resources. The book examines the affirmative action philosophies and programs of the three countries and raises pertinent questions about whether affirmative action has led to equality, social justice, harmony and political stability and explores future possibilities. "Steven Ratuva provides a brilliant critical study, not just of affirmative action policy and practice in three very different postcolonial contexts, but of the very complex matters of principle, justification and ideology that are involved more generally. It is an invaluable contribution to the literature on this important topic."

- Dr Stephanie Lawson, Professor of Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University.

"Scholarly and provocative, Steven Ratuva's Politics of Preferential Development is an original and insightful comparative contribution to the growing literature on affirmative action around the world."

- Dr Ralph Premdas, Professor of Public Policy, University of West Indies; Former Professor, University of California Berkeley and University of Toronto.

Abstract This article provides a review of Transforming Universities in the Midst of Global Crisis: A University for the Common Good, authored by Richard Hil, Kristen Lyons and Fern Thompsett.