Rethinking Ethnicity - A Scholarly of National Identity

In this review of Rethinking Ethnicity the reviewer finds a carefully argued study aimed at readers who want to understand how liberal globalization, multiculturalism and democratic change shape national identity. The book's single biggest reason to read it is its sustained focus on the role of dominant ethnicity in contemporary politics, tracing both decline in some advanced states and revival at political margins elsewhere. For students, policy analysts and politically engaged readers seeking a measured, evidence-minded account of ethnicity and nationalism, this book provides a focused lens rather than a sweeping manifesto.

Key Features

• Focused thesis: The book foregrounds the importance of dominant ethnicity, which clarifies debates about civic versus ethnic national identity.
• Comparative scope: It contrasts trends in advanced liberal states and developing countries to show how globalization and democratization produce different ethnic outcomes.
• Political relevance: The analysis links ethnic change to real political movements, explaining how multiculturalism can coincide with far right revival.
• Historical context: The book situates contemporary trends against post-colonial and Cold War legacies, helping readers see continuity and rupture.
• Argumentative clarity: Kaufmann lays out a forceful, evidence-oriented case that is useful for classroom discussion or policy debates.

Who It's For

Rethinking Ethnicity will suit graduate students, researchers and policy professionals who need a rigorous account of how ethnic majorities react to multiculturalism and globalization. Its concentrated argument makes it a good seminar text for courses on nationalism, comparative politics or social theory.

Readers seeking a highly prescriptive handbook or activists looking for partisan prescriptions should look elsewhere; the book aims to explain patterns of dominant ethnicity rather than to offer step-by-step policy programs or ideological advocacy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear focus on dominant ethnicity makes complex debates more tractable for scholars and students.
• Comparative approach highlights contrasting effects of democratization and globalization across regions.
• Engages current political phenomena such as far right revival without reducing them to polemic.

Cons

• The book is analytical rather than prescriptive, so readers seeking concrete policy solutions may find it limited.

Specifications

Title	Rethinking Ethnicity
Author	Eric P. Kaufmann
Subject area	Politics & Government
Focus	Dominant ethnicity, nationalism, civic vs ethnic identity
Comparative scope	Advanced liberal states and developing world
Key themes	Globalization, multiculturalism, democratization, ethnic revival

Our Verdict

Rethinking Ethnicity is a persuasive, well-focused study that will repay readers who want a conceptual and comparative explanation of how dominant ethnic identities persist or revive under modern pressures. It is good value for students and practitioners who need an evidence-based account rather than a partisan tract, and it sharpens discussion around civic identity and nationalist politics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book argue for a political position?
The book presents an analytical case about the role of dominant ethnicity rather than advocating a specific partisan agenda.

What regions does the book compare?
It contrasts trends in advanced liberal states with developments in the developing world affected by democratization and decolonization legacies.

Is this suitable for classroom use?
Yes. Its clear thesis and comparative examples make it useful for seminars on nationalism, identity and political sociology.