Definition of Multi-Ethnic State

From an ethnic point of view, a nation it can be homogeneous or multiethnic and plural. It is homogeneous when the vast majority of its inhabitants share the same racial characteristics, the same language and some traditions. A nation is multiethnic if there is one diversity racial and cultural in the territory.

The category of multiethnic state is equivalent to another, multicultural state. Although it is not an official name, countries such as Ecuador, Colombia or Peru have incorporated the concept of multiethnic state in their respective constitutional texts to recognize the cultural diversity of the society. This recognition implies the I respect towards the ethnic minorities of a nation.

Panama and Russia, two examples of multi-ethnic states

Panama is a Central American country with 4 million inhabitants according to the 2016 census. There is population indigenous people with more than 300,000 inhabitants (specifically there are seven indigenous peoples and each of them has its own language and

traditions). On the other hand, the Panamanian population is made up of mulattoes, blacks and mestizos (70 of the inhabitants are mestizos, 10% white, 8% are indigenous and 1% of Asian origin who mostly come from China).

Russia is the largest country in the world in size and with 150 million inhabitants. Ethnically the Russian state presents great complexity. Russians make up the majority ethnic group, approximately 80% of the total population (the remaining 20% ​​is made up of Ukrainians, Chechens, Bashkirs and Armenians). On the other hand, more than 100 different languages ​​are spoken in Russia (some of them are officially recognized but most do not).

Japan as an example of a socially homogeneous state

Japanese society has an ingrained sense of National identity and ethnic diversity is minority and with little cultural relevance. From a linguistic point of view, Standard Japanese is used throughout the country and the dialects of Japanese are not officially recognized.

Despite the homogeneity of Japanese society, the inhabitants of the Ryukyu Islands (the Ryukyuans) and those of the island of Honshu (the Ainu) are an exception, since they have their own language and culture own. Both ethnic minorities have little influence on the nation as a whole and are culturally on the brink of extinction.

Photo: Fotolia - lvnl

Issues in Multi-Ethnic State