Elements for a Structural Theory of Ethnic Segregation and Assimilation

In: European journal of political research: official journal of the European Consortium for Political Research, Band 12, Heft 1, S. 89-100

Abstract

Elements of a structural theory of ethnic segregation & assimilation are formulated, substantiated by various studies from 1963 to 1982 of nonimmigrant minorities in the Danish & German parts of Schleswig, Denmark. A list of definitions of culture, ethnicity, assimilation, acculturation, & segregation is given. Axioms concerning the structure, values, & interactions within a society are proposed. Theorems are formulated, eg: community organizations (church, family, clubs, etc) are the cores of ethnic identification; integration in the LF is the primary cause of assimilation; & the greater the SS difference, the less the social integration of an ethnic group. Most of these theorems are evidenced in studies of the German & Danish minorities in north & south Schleswig. Ethnic minorities tend to have difficulty recognizing themselves in structural analyses, which exclude or diminish the individual's view of his own ethnicity. While introspection can be effectively combined with structural analysis, ethnic minorities can be well-researched from an external, structural position. This approach is highly recommended to ethnic minorities to further understand & shape their own societies. 1 Figure, 23 References. D. Graves.