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Communalism and the pursuit of democracy : a reflection on the eradication of racialism and promoting social harmony / Chee-Beng Tan.

9783031362392 (electronic bk.)
303136239X (electronic bk.)
9783031362385
3031362381

Cham : Palgrave Macmillan, [2023]

©2023

English

1 online resource (xi, 87 pages) : color illustrations

10.1007/978-3-031-36239-2 doi

JC423

321.8

"Beyond the dichotomy of primordiality and transactionalism in anthropological theory, Professor Tan Chee-Beng adduces evolutionary psychology to illuminate the phenomenon of ethnic/communal conflict in modern democracies. He suggests that a combination of conviviality and somewhat utopian sense of cosmopolitanism amongst 'ethnies' would be needed to combat ethnic nationalism by civic or civil nationalism. The argument concerning ethnic conundrum and its possible resolution is grounded in apt illustrations from Malaysia, the U.S.A., and the People's Republic of China among other parts of the world. It is an original and provocative contribution to global studies indeed. Ravindra Jain, Former Professor of Sociology and Social Anthropology and Dean, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi This Palgrave Pivot examines why racialism is so persistent and the challenges it poses to the functioning of democracy and the attainment of national integration. It introduces an evolutionary psychology framework, which explains human innate potential to identify with and defend ones group, but argues that racial dislike and conflicts are provoked by racial ideologies and the politics of ethnicity. By comparing the politics of race in a number of countries, including Malaysia and the United States, this book argues that attachment to ones ethnic and religious identities does not hinder ethnic harmony. It is necessary to manage the issues of race and religion as well as promoting conviviality and cosmopolitanism for pursuing the ideal of common humanity and for maintaining a stable and meaningful democracy. This book concludes that democracy, as practiced, has some major weaknesses; as an ideal, it is still the best form of government to pursue. Chee-BengTan has taught at the University of Singapore, University of Malaya, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou. He is currently Adjunct Professor, CUHK, and Adjunct Professor, Tunku Abdul Rahman University. A cultural anthropologist, he has done research in Malaysia and China. .

Includes index.

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Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed August 4, 2023).

Print version: 9783031362385

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