Ethnicity, National Security and Democracy

Contents: Preface. 1. Ethnicity and race: a conceptual framework. 2. Ethnicity: a new challenge for national security in the Post-Cold War era. 3. Ethnicity, inequality and liberty in the developed world. 4. Ethnic conflict and national security challenges for contemporary West Africa. 5. Promotion of democracy through prevention of crime: the case study of South Africa. 6. Ethnic diversity, national security and multiparty democracy prospects for Mauritius. 7. Ethnic diversity and challenges for democracy in contemporary Nigeria. 8. Ethnic conflicts and prospects of democracy in contemporary Africa. 9. Overseas ethnic minorities and the prospects of liberal democracy. Bibliography. Index.

"The concept of ethnicity refers to the specific social and cultural attributes such as language, religion, dress, food, music, beliefs of origin and genesis and to the social and cultural boundary between two or more self-identifying collectives, who claim a historical existence by reference to such attributes. In other words, ethnic groups are identified by a pattern of cultural significance which sustains claims of difference and distinctiveness through historical time. 

Ethnic diversity has played a significant role in the maintenance of national security and promotion of multiparty democracy in a country like Mauritius. In fact, Mauritius is a classical case of ethnic diversity and multi-party democracy. However, ethnicity has also emerged a serious challenge for country like Nigeria. In fact, ethnicity is a serious threat to the national security for the entire West Africa. Proliferation of crime and violence in the post-Apartheid South Africa is a serious threat to its national security and multi-party democracy." (jacket)