Ethnicity has been a key concept in anthropology and sociology for many years, yet many people still seem uncertain as to its meaning, its relevance, and its relationship to other concepts such as 'race' and nationalism. In Ethnicity : Anthropological Construction the major anthropological and Sociological approaches to ethnicity, covering much of the significant literature and leading authors, are outlind clearly and concisely.

The term, ethnicity, has been used to describe human social interaction, but particularly in relation to groups that would previously have been described as 'tribes', and to minority migrant groups and their 'host societies'. Certain classic works are discussed and particular attention is paid to the considerable literature on ethnic minorities in Britain and the United States. Two case studies--on 'ethnic cleansing' in Bosnia, and accusations of racism in a British school dispute---are presented to demonstarte how concepts of ethnicity, 'race' and nationalism have recently been used by the public and press.

This book constructs an intellectual history of ethnicity, and argues that while it has become an overused concept in the anthropological vocabulary, it is finding increasing use in public language and thought.