Anton L. Allahar
Primordialism and ethnic political mobilisation in modern society' [Abstract]

Derek Woodrow
Cultural inclinations towards studying mathematics and sciences' [Abstract]

Jessika ter Wal
The social representation of immigrants: the Pantanella issue in the pages of La Repubblica [Abstract]

Monder Ram and David Deakins
African-Caribbeans in business [Abstract]

Diane Frost
Racism and social segregation: settlement patterns of West African seamen in Liverpool since the nineteenth century [Abstract]

Alastair Bonnett
Anti-racism and the critique of ‘white’ identities [Abstract]

Syd Jeffers, Paul Hoggett and Lyn Harrison
Race, ethnicity and community in three localities [Abstract]

Stefan Svallfors
National differences in national identities? An introduction to the International Social Survey Programme
(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 127-134)

Stan Taylor
Race, parochialism and politics: the general election in Cheltenham
(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 135-146)

Michael Banton
European policy report
(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 147-150)

Khalid Koser
European migration report: recent asylum migration in Europe
(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 151-158)

Robin Cohen
International migration and the future of the nation-state
(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 159-163)

Primordialism and ethnic political mobilisation in modern society
Anton L. Allahar

Abstract This article will focus on class and ethnicity as factors influencing political mobilisation in modern, liberal-democratic societies. My aim is to treat political mobilisation as a dependent variable and to compare the conditions under which (a) class consciousness and affiliation and (b) ethnic consciousness and affiliation are able to predict such mobilisation. The concept of primordialism, which holds that group attachment and identity, especially in pre-modern or traditional societies, are natural, perhaps even biological, will serve as the point of departure. After reviewing the relevant literature and identifying the main, divergent claims, I will seek to provide a reconciliation and synthesis of the two which shows how a modified understanding of ethnic primordialism can be fruitfully combined with considerations of economic or class interests to explain political mobilisation in modern society.

(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 5-21, © Carfax Publishing Ltd.)

Cultural inclinations towards studying mathematics and sciences
Derek Woodrow

Abstract This article gathers the evidence of differential choices to study mathematics and science by different ethnic groups in English society. Recent collections of data on the ethnic origin of applicants to higher education confirm that different groups make different choices, with Asian and Chinese students choosing mathematics and science in greater proportions than their white peers. Black students also show such preferences, but are even more strongly attracted to the social sciences. The article then proceeds to discuss reasons for such variations, including such possible factors as implicit curriculum bias, social assumptions, learning styles, personality preferences and career intentions.

(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 23-38, © Carfax Publishing Ltd.)

The social representation of immigrants: the Pantanella issue in the pages of La Repubblica
Jessika ter Wal

Abstract The present case study examines the discourse of the leading Italian newspaper La Repubblica on the Pantanella, an irregular settlement of immigrants in a central area of Rome. The article portrays how the discourse helped to build consensus in favour of and justified the eviction of the immigrants from this building and their dispersal by the local authorities on 31 January 1991. The analysis uses the categories of the prejudiced attitude schema (Van Dijk 1987) to examine the social representation of the out-group in descriptive news discourse, as well as in statements taken from popular and official discourses. In addition, the use of arguments and rhetorical moves contained in the public and political reactions to the issue indicate the need to provide (objective) reasons and to realise strategies of positive self-presentation in order to present the solution of the eviction as acceptable. It is argued that these various elements of discourse contributed to the definition and management of the ethnic situation. Finally, it is shown how they produce more overt/blatant or more covert/subtle expressions of ethnic prejudice and thus conform in varying degrees to a socially shared norm which prohibits the expression of blatantly prejudiced or racist opinions.

(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 39-66, © Carfax Publishing Ltd.)

African-Caribbeans in business
Monder Ram and David Deakins

Abstract Despite concerns over trajectory of the ‘enterprise’ economy, there can be little doubt that ethnic minorities have played a significant role in reviving the small firm scene. With higher than average rates of self-employment, the apparent capacity for entrepreneurship of many ethnic groups, particularly Asians, has attracted much interest. African-Caribbeans, by contrast, are comparatively under-represented in the small business community; they do not appear to have been equal participants in this culture of enterprise. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 41 small business owners in four cities, this article examines the neglected nature of African-Caribbean entrepreneurship. From the findings, it is clear that African-Caribbean enterprise is a young, emergent phenomenon increasingly undertaken by a group of well-educated and highly motivated individuals. Previously noted characteristics of youthfulness, the small size of such businesses (measured in terms of turnover and numbers employed) employment of co-ethnics, well-qualified entrepreneurs, and the predominance of sector-specific activities have been confirmed. But what also emerges is evidence of considerable resourcefulness in adapting to difficult market conditions, a willingness to trade outside the co-ethnic community, and a generally positive outlook for the future. Hence although African-Caribbean entrepreneurs may be relative newcomers on the small business scene, they, nonetheless, display potential for development.

(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 67-84, © Carfax Publishing Ltd.)

Racism and social segregation: settlement patterns of West African seamen in Liverpool since the nineteenth century
Diane Frost

Abstract West African seamen known as Kru settled in Liverpool from at least the nineteenth century onwards. As articled seamen they were employed on board British merchant ships that sailed between Britain and West Africa during an era of colonial trade. These seamen became an important part of Liverpool's black community and have added to its rich and diverse ethnic composition. Historically the community has been confined to the south end of the city or what is today commonly referred to as Liverpool 8. Whilst work determined in the first instance the settlement patterns of this group, institutionalised racism by council and private housing agencies have served to socially and spatially segregate this group along with the wider black community.

(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 85-95, © Carfax Publishing Ltd.)

Anti-racism and the critique of ‘white’ identities
Alastair Bonnett

Abstract This article addresses the construction of ‘whiteness’ within anti-racist discourse. It shows that anti-racists have failed to understand ‘whiteness’ as a temporally and spatially contingent and fluid category. The article argues that this failure has led anti-racists to view white identity as a fixed entity, something beyond change or challenge. The final section of the article looks at the emerging body of literature on the historical geography of ‘whiteness’ to see if it offers the possibility of more nuanced, and effective, anti-racist conceptualisations of ‘whiteness’.

(New Community Vol. 22 No. 1: 97-110, © Carfax Publishing Ltd.)

Race, ethnicity and community in three localities
Syd Jeffers, Paul Hoggett and Lyn Harrison

Abstract This article looks at patterns of interaction and exclusion across 'racial' and ethnic boundaries within a variety of local 'community initiatives' in three areas – Bristol, Leicester and Tower Hamlets. This article is based upon seven case studies carried out over an eighteen month period as part of a Home Office research project that was concerned to see how forms of racial and ethnic exclusion might be overcome within community initiatives. In the course of this research we observed a wide variation in the development of racial and ethnic issues within and between the different areas. We also found that 'community initiatives' had engaged with these issues in a variety of ways. More or less open constructions of 'community' cut across more or less open constructions of 'race' and ethnicity. These constructions have an impact at the level of local initiatives by opening or closing these to the participation and involvement of different 'racial' and ethnic groups.