Essay Sample on Multiethnic Societies

Introduction

Switzerland, Hawaii, and Brazil are often cited as examples of multigroup societies that are relatively harmonious. These characterizations are accurate based on the way culturally and racially diverse populations live together. Swiss society comprises of three primary and unique cultural and language groups that include German speakers, French Speakers and Italian speakers. Economic power and economic resources are shared depending on the size of a group. Leaders of various groups cooperate on national matters to ensure fundamental fairness and proportional sharing is maintained. The Swiss society demonstrates no history of subordination or conquest. The three main groups have also never shown patterns of structure prejudice, inequality as well as resentment. Similarly, Hawaii demonstrates tolerance to diversity due to a high population of mixed race. Hawaiian society comprises of different races that include Native Hawaiians approximately 20% of the entire population, Whites, Filipino Americans, Hispanic Americans, Samoans, and African Americans among others. The country has a relatively low level of discrimination, prejudice and group conflict. Secondary structural assimilation in Hawaii did not exclude other groups. There were no laws that discriminated against other groups from accessing some places such as public institutions or holding a public office. Concerning primary structural assimilation, intermarriage among different groups is high, and this shows an element of peaceful and harmonies multigroup society. Brazil also tolerated diversity since its establishment similar to Hawaii and Switzerland. Even though enslavement was rampant, it was abolished and hence respecting human dignity. Interracial marriage was common which signals a peaceful coexistence among the communities.

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There are common characteristics of their contact situations that might help account for the relative harmony. In Hawaii when encountering Europeans, the island political structure and economy was dominated by owners of the white plantation. It clearly shows that society accepted both immigrants and indigenous people. In all the three nations, people intermarried during the contact. The intermarriages resulted in a mixed race. Exchange of cultural differences created harmony in multigroup societies of the three countries (Staerkle et al., 2010).

Brazil and the U.S. have significant similarities and differences in the development of dominant-minority relations. On the similarity side, both countries developed through contact situation involving three racially different groups as well as the struggle for labor and slaves. In both nations, the dominant group was whites. Diseases and punitive treatment overwhelmed one of the groups that faced the defeat comprising of the indigenous population. The other group consisting of African Americans was enslaved where individuals provided labor in white plantations. They suffered from harsh treatment while in the field. Women were sexually abused by their masters where they worked as servants (Staerkle et al., 2010).

On the contrary side, the slavery system in Brazil started earlier and was more open compared to the U.S. Slaves were released at a higher rate in Brazil than in the US. In Brazil, free blacks could be allowed to join the labor force and do most of the jobs available in the market. The liberation of enslaved people took place in different ways. The U.S. freed slaves at once while Brazil freed them in phases until slavery was entirely abolished (Staerkle et al.,2010).

Conclusion

The above similarities and differences affect the contemporary relations. Racial discrimination as evident during that time is still prevalent today. Whites discriminated against ethnic minorities in both countries. The only difference is that ethnic minorities such as Africans are not enslaved the way it was carried out during the contact, but they still face discrimination in the society. They do not enjoy the same privileges in most of the places including learning institutions and the workplace.

Reference

Staerkle, C., Sidanius, J., Green, E. G., & Molina, L. E. (2010). Ethnic minoritymajority asymmetry in national attitudes around the world: A multilevel analysis. Political Psychology, 31(4), 310-519.