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Rating: 
Summary: Everything you think you know is wrong...
Review: *ALL* beliefs about ethnic that are commonly accepted in USA and the basis of far-reaching policies are 100% wrong based on the information in this book. US policies actually *increase* ethnic conflict! Don't expect the author to analyze the situation in USA directly - that would force him to drop the good-guy/bad-guy approach that is practically required by law here. It's not too hard to read between the lines, though. Horowitz thinks that the best way to reduce ethnic conflict (elimination being unrealistic) is to allow each group to become economically specialized. Ethnic specialization is good, in his view, and not at all similar to ethnic ranking, which is bad. Of course, some groups will be specialized in high finance and others will be hewers of wood and drawers of water... This book reviews the major theories and discusses their strengths and weaknesses. He never does come down solidly in favor of one theory, but he clearly considers some very popular theories virtually worthless. I don't see how anybody who isn't an "ethnic entrepreneur" could read this book and still think that affirmative action, massive immigration and group rights will reduce ethnic conflict. This is a very scary book and difficult, too, but well worth the effort.
Rating: 
Summary: Looking for alternatives in a world of Black and White
Review: Donald L. Horowitz's project, in Ethnic Groups in Conflict, is the nature of contention in both the social and political relations between unranked ethnic groups. According to Horowitz, "Much of the confusion can be dispelled by recognizing a simple distinction between ranked and unranked ethnic groups. The distinction rests upon the coincidence or non-coincidence of social class with ethnic origin. Where the two coincide, it is possible to speak of ranked ethnic groups; where groups are cross class, it is possible to speak of unranked ethnic groups". If, in the specific milieu in focus, each constituent ethnic group has its own rightful elite, its own, hierarchy, more or less complete (which looks suspiciously like class) - then it is essentially, in an unranked system of ethnic relations. Horowitz carries his argument to its next level with his explanation of the role of the elite. He outlines that, "The clearest indicator of subordination, on the other hand, is the logical impossibility of an acknowledged upper class among the subordinate group" and that the, "Lack of group autonomy in leadership selection is a sure sign of ethnic subordination". Horowitz concludes that, "In general, ranked systems are produced by conquest or capture". A ranked system contains ethnic groups, which are in relationships of subordination and domination to each other. Unranked systems, which Horowitz posits, are more stable than ranked systems. Politics in unranked systems is mainly concerned with inclusion and exclusion, rather than domination and power. According to Horowitz, the majority of the post-colonial societies in the third world fall into the category of unranked systems. Dr. Horowitz is by far on the leading edge of his discourse and treats the subject of middle ground or alternatives with sensitivity as well as the detached and objective view of the academic. The rest is up to us to prove or disprove via implementation. A top notch introduction to a long and arduous process. A political science must read. Be warned the whole thesis is explored in detail and is not for the timid. Miguel Llora
Rating:
Summary: Looking for alternatives in a world of Black and White
Review: Donald L. Horowitz's project, in Ethnic Groups in Conflict, is the nature of contention in both the social and political relations between unranked ethnic groups. According to Horowitz, "Much of the confusion can be dispelled by recognizing a simple distinction between ranked and unranked ethnic groups. The distinction rests upon the coincidence or non-coincidence of social class with ethnic origin. Where the two coincide, it is possible to speak of ranked ethnic groups; where groups are cross class, it is possible to speak of unranked ethnic groups". If, in the specific milieu in focus, each constituent ethnic group has its own rightful elite, its own, hierarchy, more or less complete (which looks suspiciously like class) - then it is essentially, in an unranked system of ethnic relations. Horowitz carries his argument to its next level with his explanation of the role of the elite. He outlines that, "The clearest indicator of subordination, on the other hand, is the logical impossibility of an acknowledged upper class among the subordinate group" and that the, "Lack of group autonomy in leadership selection is a sure sign of ethnic subordination". Horowitz concludes that, "In general, ranked systems are produced by conquest or capture". A ranked system contains ethnic groups, which are in relationships of subordination and domination to each other. Unranked systems, which Horowitz posits, are more stable than ranked systems. Politics in unranked systems is mainly concerned with inclusion and exclusion, rather than domination and power. According to Horowitz, the majority of the post-colonial societies in the third world fall into the category of unranked systems. Dr. Horowitz is by far on the leading edge of his discourse and treats the subject of middle ground or alternatives with sensitivity as well as the detached and objective view of the academic. The rest is up to us to prove or disprove via implementation. A top notch introduction to a long and arduous process. A political science must read. Be warned the whole thesis is explored in detail and is not for the timid. Miguel Llora
Rating:
Summary: Everything you think you know is wrong...
Review: This book is a scholarly treatise on ethnic conflict. The author's ideas are thoroughly developed, and supported with numerous examples and references. I finished the book with a far greater understanding of the roots, complexity, dynamics, and interventions for ethnic conflict. Horowitz shows how the ethnic conflict which we may be most directly aware of is an example of a larger phenomenon. The book is not easy to read. It is 684 pages. Many of its 16 chapters have over 100 footnotes. The writing style favors cautious scholarly precision with exhaustive attention to detail, rather than an easy to understand summary of the central ideas.
Rating:
Summary: A solid scholarly treatise on ethnic conflict
Review: This book is a scholarly treatise on ethnic conflict. The author's ideas are thoroughly developed, and supported with numerous examples and references. I finished the book with a far greater understanding of the roots, complexity, dynamics, and interventions for ethnic conflict. Horowitz shows how the ethnic conflict which we may be most directly aware of is an example of a larger phenomenon. The book is not easy to read. It is 684 pages. Many of its 16 chapters have over 100 footnotes. The writing style favors cautious scholarly precision with exhaustive attention to detail, rather than an easy to understand summary of the central ideas.
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