1. Introduction: Rationalising racial and ethnic competition.
- Author
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Chivers, T. S.
- Subjects
RATIONAL choice theory ,ETHNIC groups ,RACE relations ,SOCIAL problems ,MINORITIES - Abstract
The article discusses on Michael Banton's rational choice theory as expounded in his book "Racial and Ethnic Competition." Not long after this appeared, a number of academics, interested in racial and ethnic relations, were invited to comment on Banton's analysis. The use of the term rational will probably make most sociologists at once think of Weber. However, although Banton does draw on Weber, he does not in his book use Weber's types of rational action or the Weberian master concept of rationalization. It is pointed out that people are to be credited with preferences which, in turn, necessitate alternatives for choice. Partly, then, the perspective of rationality rests on the presupposition of a scale of preferences in individual and collective action. In his book, Banton proceeds to a series of models. One of these sets up a fourfold analysis of groups defined by boundary and privilege, a second considers four possible responses of immigrant groups based on their attraction to the sending and receiving societies, and a third considers assimilation in terms of the cultural change of both the immigrant minority and the indigenous majority.
- Published
- 1985
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