Concept of Ethnicity — 2020 Paper II

Approach

• Demand of Question: Explain ethnicity as a form of collective identity and discuss how ethnic boundaries are created and maintained.
• Structuring the Response: Define ethnicity, contrast major approaches and use Fredrik Barth to show its relational and dynamic character.

Model Answer

Introduction

Ethnicity refers to a sense of collective identity based on perceived common ancestry, history and selected cultural attributes such as language, religion, territory, customs and shared memories. An ethnic group therefore exists not merely through cultural similarity but through consciousness of belonging and differentiation from others.

Major approaches

1. Primordial approach: Views ethnicity as rooted in deeply felt attachments based on kinship, language, religion and ancestry.
2. Instrumentalist approach: Treats ethnic identity as a resource mobilized by political actors for access to:

• power;
• territory;
• employment;
• resources.

3. Constructivist approach: Emphasizes that ethnic identities are historically produced and can change with social circumstances.

Fredrik Barth

In Ethnic Groups and Boundaries (1969), Fredrik Barth shifted attention from cultural content to the maintenance of ethnic boundaries.

Different groups may exchange cultural traits while continuing to maintain distinct identities.

Thus:

Cultural interaction ≠ Disappearance of ethnic boundary

Ethnicity is therefore relational—an identity becomes meaningful in interaction with perceived “others”.

Indian relevance

Ethnicity influences:

• tribal identity movements;
• demands for autonomy;
• language movements;
• regionalism;
• political representation.

Conclusion

Ethnicity is best understood as a dynamic, relational and historically constructed identity, sustained through boundaries, shared symbols and collective political consciousness rather than through cultural isolation alone.