Theories of Race and Racism

Abstract

Over the past few decades there has been a flowering of studies of racial and ethnic differences and their social meaning in various historical, social, political and economic contexts. Theoretical and political debates have raged during this time, and have sometimes led to bitter conceptual and political arguments. At the same time the analysis of race and racism has become an established field of study in a number of social science disciplines, most notably in sociology, political science, economics, anthropology, cultural studies and geography (Rex and Mason, 1986; Goldberg [ed.], 1990). The literature emanating from all these disciplines has multiplied over the years, particularly in the US, Britain and other European societies and South Africa.