XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology (July 13-19, 2014)

July 13 - 19, 2014

626

Race, Ethnicity and Alienated Consciousness

RC36 Alienation Theory and Research (host committee)

Language: English

One of the most salient aspects of globalization has been contraction of the world and the a growing proximity of different peoples whether through migration, tourism, or access to cultural diversity. Thus in many ways we see growing toleration, indeed celebrations of difference. But at the same time, between the rapidity of social change, the problematic nature of the global economy in which many people have lost income status or both, we also see a number of reactionary forces encouraging racial/ethnic intolerance ranging from the growth of Islamaphobic parties in Europe and/or the tea party United States. A long-standing body of theory and research in sociology has shown how the alienated segments of the society have been prone to intolerance. This was the major theme of the early Frankfurt school studies. How do we understand the relationship of race, ethnicity and alienation today? This session will attempt to look at some of the recent theory and research on how and why and alienation often fosters intolerance and at the same time overcoming that alienation fostering a more tolerant society.