The Constant Identity- Ethnicity and Development

Does/should ethnicity matter in development? Should ethnic diversity play a role in development projects? Does ethnic diversity create a negative impact or positive impact on development? These were the questions raised in the readings and class discussions. The role of ethnicity in development theories and projects have been very minimal mainly due to the assumption that with modernization, ethnicity and ethnic groups would cease to exist or at least retreat to a behind-the-scenes type role. Many countries are ethnically diverse, some are bio-ethnic(population split predominantly between two different groups) and others are multi-ethnic in which the country is made up of numerous groups, each with significant proportion, such as Nigeria.

The first thing that needs to be addressed though is what exactly is ethnicity and what constitutes an ethnic group. An ethnic group, to my understanding, are individuals who share the same ethnic background regardless of religion or nationality. An individuals's ethnicity does not change simply because they move or because they no longer choose to identify with that group. An Arab will always be an Arab just like a Yoruba or Assyrian person will always be Yoruba or Assyrian. Ethnicity is ALWAYS constant. While members of the same ethnic group often do share the same religion such as the predominantly Muslim Hausa people, that is not always the case as evident by Yorubas and Arabs, which have significant portions of both Muslims and Christians.

Based on the readings and the discussions in class, many individuals are of the opinion that ethnicity is socially constructed and influenced by socio-economic and political circumstances. While I do think that the magnitude in which ethnicity has on an area is influenced by the aforementioned circumstances, as I stated earlier, I don't think ethnic groups are some arbitrarily made associations that can just be dissolved. While some individuals are of the opinion that ethnic diversity only brings about negativity, some hold the opinion that the impacts of ethnic diversity can also be positive.

In the article "Ethnicity and Development-an elusive relationship" by Hettne, he mentions that there are certain characteristics that an ethnically diverse country needs to have in order for ethnicity to not be a hindrance to good development. Out of those that he listed, the characteristics that I think are the most important are cultural pluralism , sustainability and internal self determination. To avoid ethnic marginalization or ethnic conflicts, all groups must feel like they belong to the country. They must be comfortable to associating with their ethnic group and know that they will be accepted by members of other groups. In regards to sustainability, environmental degradation of shared natural resources can lead to ethnic conflict such as in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria.

Overall, I think that ethnic diversity can leave both a negative and positive impact on development, depending on the structure and events in the given area. If the government is controlled predominantly by members of one ethnic group, there is a risk of ethnic marginalization occurring. The group that is in power might begin to utilize unfair policies such as building schools, hospitals and other social welfare necessities in areas that are dominated by their ethnic group or handing out jobs to members of their group. Actions such as these can breed animosity among the marginalized groups and lead to conflict. On the other hand though, ethnic diversity can leave a positive impact when individuals from different groups are able to combine talents and resources for the good of the nation.

Hettne, B. (1993) ‘Ethnicity and development – an elusive relationship’, Contemporary South
Asia, 2(2): 123-49

Smith, B. C. (2013) Understanding Third World Politics: Theories of Political Change and
Development, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, chapter 8