The Social Construction of Ethnicity and Nationality: The Case of Cyprus

In: Nationalism and ethnic politics, Band 2, Heft 1, S. 67-90

Abstract

Analyzes the processes by which two ethnonationalisms -- Greek & Turkish -- were constructed in Cyprus. As such, it is of vital relevance to the current rise of ethnicity & nationalism in Croatia, Serbia, & Bosnia. The transformation is traced from a prenationalist era during the Ottoman Empire in which social integration characterized the Muslims & Christians to the present ethnic strife & island division. The role of British colonial policy, Greek irredentism, Greek & Turkish national interests, & competing local political elites contributed to the structuring of ethnic identities. Adapted from the source document.