Ethnic Relations in Plural Societies: Social, Economic and Political Dimensions

Slavery and indentured labour left a legacy of multi-ethnic and multicultural societies in former tropical colonies of the European empires, with indentured labourers facing competition and being treated as competitors for freed slaves and local populations. This historical past continues to overshadow relations between different ethnic groups in plural societies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 378 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Manohar Publishers and Distributors

One of the significant legacies of slavery and indentured labor is the presence of multi-ethnic and multicultural societies in former tropical colonies of the European empires. Following the abolition of slavery, indentured laborers were brought to plantation colonies to address the demand for cheap labor in the production of tropical goods. However, they were initially perceived as competitors to freed slaves and the local population. At the same time, freed slaves and their descendants often considered themselves as the indigenous people and were treated as such by the colonial governments. In their view, the colonial governments allocated excessive resources to the immigration of foreign laborers, which could have been utilized to enhance the socio-economic conditions of the descendants of former slaves. This historical background continues to impact inter-ethnic relations in societies characterized by pluralism.

Dimension: 240 x 160 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788119139224