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3 - Identity Not Culture

Where Ethnic Majorities Are Disadvantaged

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 November 2022

By
Eric Kaufmann
Edited by
Liav Orgad  and
Ruud Koopmans
Liav Orgad
Affiliation:
European University Institute, Florence
Ruud Koopmans
Affiliation:
Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung
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Summary

This chapter argues that ethnic majorities are set to occupy an increasingly central place in discussions of ethno-political accommodation in western societies. These actors are not well captured by the liberal nationalism or multiculturalism paradigms, which were developed during a period of relative ethnic homogeneity. Ethnic majorities are, in my estimation, advantaged in politics, the economy and in official culture; but are disadvantaged when it comes to recognition of their ethnic identity and demographic malaise, criticism of their collective past, and the treatment of national symbols and narratives that are implicitly associated with them. An increasingly influential cultural left has sought to anathematize majority ethnic groups, which has contributed to populism and polarization as well as silencing important conversations. The cultural left has also engaged in a fallacy of composition by collapsing the distinction between majority group concern over the preservation of ethno-traditions with ethnic exclusion at the individual level. It has celebrated majority decline, producing profound alienation. In combination, this has prevented the recognition of liberal, absorptive ethnic majorities, contributing to our current moment in both political and intellectual terms.

Keywords

ethnic majorityliberal ethnicitypopulismdominant ethnicitymajority rights
Type
Chapter
Information
Majorities, Minorities, and the Future of Nationhood , pp. 62 - 86
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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  • Identity Not Culture
  • Edited by Liav Orgad, European University Institute, Florence, Ruud Koopmans, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung
  • Book: Majorities, Minorities, and the Future of Nationhood
  • Online publication: 12 November 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009233378.004
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Save book to Dropbox

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  • Identity Not Culture
  • Edited by Liav Orgad, European University Institute, Florence, Ruud Koopmans, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung
  • Book: Majorities, Minorities, and the Future of Nationhood
  • Online publication: 12 November 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009233378.004
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Identity Not Culture
  • Edited by Liav Orgad, European University Institute, Florence, Ruud Koopmans, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung
  • Book: Majorities, Minorities, and the Future of Nationhood
  • Online publication: 12 November 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009233378.004
Available formats
×