Ethnie

The concept ethnie was coined in the 19th century by the French sociologist Georges Vacher de lapouge. This neologism aimed at designating the different nations, constituting from various races and creating unique national solidarity. In reality, considering previously existed notions – people, nation and race, the new term ethnie did not offer any significant novelty. The concept acquired a valuable meaning in French language. In the framework of ethnology (before it’s transformation into anthropology) the term was referred to describe “primitive” and “archaic” non-Western societies. Some authors referred to this notion in order to designate a range of people, interrelated through their linguistic affiliation. For others, it was merely a synonym of the term race. Nowadays, the term ethnie, bearing a kind of political dimension, is used as a substitute for the discredited concept race. The term ethnie became particularly important by the end of 1986, when the works of British sociologist Anthony D. Smith were published[1].

[1]Ghelabi V.Y. Ethnicity in International Conflicts: Revisiting an Elusive Issue