Social Statistics and Ethnic Diversity

Epub - Editions Springer

1 The Making of Racial and Ethnic Categories: Official Statistics Reconsidered
Patrick Simon , Victor Piché , and Amélie A. Gagnon

Part I Comparative Accounts of Ethnic Statistics

2 Ethnic Classification in Global Perspective: A Cross-National Survey of the 2000 Census Round 
Ann Morning

3 ‘Inside Out’: The Politics of Enumerating the Nation by Ethnicity
Tahu Kukutai and Victor Thompson

Part II Enumeration and Identity Politics

4 The Choice of Ignorance: The Debate on Ethnic and Racial Statistics in France
Patrick Simon

5 Ethnic and Linguistic Categories in Quebec: Counting to Survive
Victor Piché

6 Brazilian Ethnoracial Classification and Affirmative Action Policies: Where Are We and Where Do We Go?
José Luis Petruccelli

7 The Ethnic Question: Census Politics in Great Britain
Debra Thompson

Part III Measurement Issues and Competing Claims

8 Counting Ethnicity in Malaysia: The Complexity of Measuring Diversity
Shyamala Nagaraj, Tey Nai-Peng, Ng Chiu-Wan, Lee Kiong-Hock, Jean Pala

9 The Growth of Ethnic Minorities in Uruguay: Ethnic Renewal or Measurement Problems?
Wanda Cabella, Rafael Porzecanski

10 The Objective Approaches of Ethnic Origins in Belgium: Methodological Alternatives and Statistical Implications
Nicolas Perrin, Luc Dal, Michel Poulain

11 Social Inequalities and Indigenous Populations in Mexico: A Plural Approach
Olivier Barbary

12 Fuzzy Definitions and Demographic Explosion of Aboriginal Populations in Canada from 1986 to 2006
Éric Guimond, Norbert Robitaille, Sacha Senecal

This book examines the question of collecting and disseminating data on ethnicity and race in order to describe characteristics of ethnic and racial groups, identify factors of social and economic integration and implement policies to redress discrimination. It offers a global perspective on the issue by looking at race and ethnicity in a wide variety of historical, country-specific contexts, including Asia, Latin America, Europe, Oceania and North America. In addition, the book also includes analysis on the indigenous populations of the Americas.

The book first offers comparative accounts of ethnic statistics. It compares and empirically tests two perspectives for understanding national ethnic enumeration practices in a global context based on national census questionnaires and population registration forms for over 200 countries between 1990 to 2006.

Next, the book explores enumeration and identity politics with chapters that cover the debate on ethnic and racial statistics in France, ethnic and linguistic categories in Québec, Brazilian ethnoracial classification and affirmative action policies and the Hispanic/Latino identity and the United States census.

The third, and final, part of the book examines measurement issues and competing claims. It explores such issues as the complexity of measuring diversity using Malaysia as an example, social inequalities and indigenous populations in Mexico and the demographic explosion of aboriginal populations in Canada from 1986 to 2006.

Overall, the book sheds light on four main questions: should ethnic groups be counted, how should they be counted, who is and who is not counted and what are the political and economic incentives for counting. It will be of interest to all students of race, ethnicity, identity, and immigration. In addition, researchers as well as policymakers will find useful discussions and insights for a better understanding of the complexity of categorization and related political and policy challenges.

Patrick Simon