The Nature of Race: Conceptualizing Human Difference in the Social and Biological Sciences Ann Morning Department of Sociology New York University ETHNIC CLASSIFICATION IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE: A CROSS-NATIONAL SURVEY OF THE 2000 CENSUS ROUND

Research Question and Motivation How do different nations enumerate their populations by ethnicity?

Research Question and Motivation How do different nations enumerate their populations by ethnicity? Theoretical implications Methodological applications Policy concerns

Data Census questionnaires from 141 nations Used in period Primarily from: – United Nations (Statistical Division, Demographic and Social Statistics Branch) – U.S. Census Bureau (International Programs Center)

TABLE 1. COUNTRIES INCLUDED IN STUDY N. America S. America AfricaEuropeAsiaOceaniaTOTAL N%N%N%N%N%N%N% Included in Study Missing Questionnaire No Census Planned TOTAL Region % Share in Study Sample % Region Covered

Content Analysis Questions How many / which countries collect ethnicity information on census? How do ethnicity questions vary? How do response formats vary?

What is ethnicity? Ethnic groups “entertain a subjective belief in their common descent because of similarities of physical type or customs or of both, or because of memories of colonization and migration...” - Max Weber (1978[1956]), Economy and Society

What is ethnic enumeration? Share of censuses that enumerate ethnicity using terms: (%) Ethnicity56 Nationality23 Race15 Indigenous Group/Tribe15 Ancestry/Descent/Origin7 Cultural Group5 Community/Population3 Caste2 Color/Phenotype2

TABLE 2. SHARE OF COUNTRIES STUDIED USING ETHNIC ENUMERATION, BY REGION Countries Enumerating Ethnicity: North America South America AfricaEuropeAsiaOceaniaTOTAL Percent N

TABLE 3. CENSUS ETHNICITY TERMINOLOGY BY REGION Share of countries using term: North America South America AfricaEuropeAsiaOceaniaTOTAL %%%%N Ethnicity Nationality Indigenous/Tribe Race % Countries Covered by 4 Terms

Language of ethnic enumeration SUBJECTIVITY: “To what ethnic group do you think you belong?” (Saint Lucia) “To what ethnic group do you belong?” (Guyana) SELF-IDENTIFICATION: “How does [the person] classify himself/herself?” (Philippines) “In your opinion, which of the following best describes your ancestry?” (Bermuda)

Ethnic enumeration response formats 1.Closed-ended (checkboxes, code lists) 2.Closed-ended with open-ended “Other” option 3.Open-ended (i.e. write-in)

TABLE 4. CENSUS ETHNICITY RESPONSE FORMATS, BY QUESTION TYPE Response Format: EthnicityNationalityIndigenousRaceAll %%% Closed-Ended Closed w/“Other” Write-in Open-Ended Total100

Summary of Findings How many / which countries collect ethnicity data on census? –63%; especially in Americas and Oceania How do census ethnicity questions vary? –In terminology –In subjectivity How do ethnicity response formats vary? –Closed vs. open-ended; some association with question terminology (e.g. “race,” “nation”)

Implications of Comparative Study 1.Theory building in future research: Enumeration as dependent variable: Use historical, social, political, economic variables to explain incidence or form of ethnic enumeration Enumeration as independent variable: Can ethnic enumeration be linked to macro-social outcomes, e.g. party politics or economic stratification?

Implications of Comparative Study 2.Applied methods (or, “how to count”): Alternative strategies of ethnic enumeration Assess advantages of diverse approaches

Implications of Comparative Study 3.Normative question: Should we count? Cannot answer directly But global analysis permits comparison of: –Motives for ethnic enumeration –Strategies for ethnic enumeration –Outcomes (intended or not) of ethnic enumeration