Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Instrumentalism

Instrumentalism defines ethnic identity as an ideology of group’s mobilization and a tool of their interests’ achievement[1]. Instrumentalism emphasis the analyzes of material interests (first of all economic interests, promoting to conflicting behavior of particular ethnic group). Instumentalists stress on political motivation. Instrumentalism was formed in the framework of Marxism and functionalism. According to Marxists’ viewpoint, class conflict is superior then ethnic conflict. Bourgeoisie uses ethnic conflict in order to fulfill their interests. Hechter, Rabushka and others stress on the role and importance of “ethnic producers” and representatives of cultural sphere in various ethnic conflicts. They fulfill their political goals through a proper manipulation of people’s ethnic solidarity[2].
[1]Шадже А.Ю. Феномен кавказской идентичности – В журн. Научная мысль кавказа. №1 (29), Ростов-н/Д, 2002, с.36-45.
[2]Малахов В.С. Национализм как политическая идеология. М. 2005

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