The Concept(s) of Race(s) and Racism(s)

Abstract

In this chapter, and Chapter 3, I want to provide an introduction to some of the theoretical, conceptual and definitional issues surrounding the terms ‘race’, racism and ethnicity, the concepts of which are highly contentious, each meriting a book in its own right. What I hope to provide, therefore, is not a definitive guide, rather a point of reference from which to provide working definitions of concepts, terms and notions that will be used throughout this book.

The idea of ‘racism without race’ is not as revolutionary as one might imagine… A racism which does not have the pseudo-biological concept of race as its main driving force has always existed.

(Balibar, 1991)