Racialisation, Ethnicity and Governance: Conceptual Clarifications and Critical Analysis

Abstract

The questions of racism and ethnicity have featured prominently in public debates over the years. It is a day to day social problem that continues to fester with no actual solution in sight in many countries. While there are concerns about systemic racism, ethnicity and stigmatisations of minorities within some systems, government assertion that ‘the greatness of a nation’ lies in the unity and collective contribution of diverse communities to a country is becoming a mirage. Although, this article is a very ambitious and very sensitive one, the social problem in focus must be addressed and properly investigated. Consequently, the article explores the issue of racism and ethnicity in many countries; using empirical evidences and literature reviews. The authors examine the complexity and varied places of ‘racialisation’ and ‘ethnicity’ within the social structures of such countries while investigating the impacts on governance, institutions and the entire systems. We focus on various examples and many spheres of life where racial discriminations and ethnicity are being experienced in our samples. This paper will contribute to the ever-growing literature and knowledge on racism, ethnicity and governance.