Michael Banton's Twins: Affiliation and Formation in the Rational Choice Theory of Racial and Ethnic Relations

Abstract

Examines the basic presuppositions that underpin the rational choice theory of ethnic & race relations developed by Michael Banton (eg, 1991 [see abstract 91X8195]). It is suggested that, while Banton organizes his work under one title, his ideas are actually organized into two distinct theories: a special theory of affiliation to existing groups & a general theory of formation that purports to explain how & why a given pattern of ethnic relations becomes established in the first place. Banton's special theory is described as geared to individual action with assumptions possibly applying to all cases of ethnic affiliation. Thus, Banton's special theory is taken to be falsifiable, which is not self-evidently false. The merits of this special theory must be established in systematic comparisons across ethnic groups. Critics of Banton's general theory are argued to have misinterpreted his use of methodological individualism & to have missed the main difficulty with this theory: its indeterminism. It is concluded that, while Banton's general theory is problematic in a number of ways & does not provide systematic empirical answers to crucial questions, his work has taken scholarship a large step in this direction by identifying some universal outlines of ethnic affiliation & pointing to a generalized process exclusion & monopoly. D. M. Smith