Open AccessThe Dynamics of Changing Ethnic Boundaries: A Case Study of Karachi
Author(s) -
Soofia Mumtaz
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
pakistan development review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.154
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 0030-9729
DOI - 10.30541/v29i3-4pp.223-248
Subject(s) - phenomenon , ethnic group , salience (neuroscience) , context (archaeology) , sociology , dynamics (music) , relevance (law) , social dynamics , inequality , economic geography , development economics , positive economics , gender studies , epistemology , political science , social science , geography , economics , psychology , law , anthropology , mathematics , cognitive psychology , mathematical analysis , pedagogy , philosophy , archaeology
Contrary to expectation, and the generally accepted beliefthat ethnicity defines one's primordial indentity and is, therefore,relevant and functiooal only in a pre-modem context, the phenomenon ofethnicity has surfaced in the modem world as a fOICe more vital thanclass contIi::t and a source more pertinent to resolving peICeivedinequalities and thereby affecting desired social change. This paperexamines the ethnic garb assumed by the uprisings and armed conflictscurrently ravaging Karachi. The examination is undertaken within theframework of Hannan's model of the dynamics of interactions between thecentre and the periphery (as based on Barth's niche theory). The paper,thus, seeks to understand the conditions which caused the definition,reinfoICement, and functional relevance of ethni:: boundaries, as wellas the consequent salience of the phenomenon in the modem urbancontext.