An ethnic group is a human population whose members identify with each other, usually on the basis of a presumed common genealogy or ancestry (Smith 1986). Ethnic groups are also usually united by common cultural, behavioural, linguistic, or religious practices. In this sense, an ethnic group is also a cultural community.

From an objective standpoint, an ethnic group is also an endogamous population, that is, members of an ethnic group procreate primarily with other members of their ethnic group, something which is measurable in terms of characteristic average genetic frequencies. These differences, however, usually do not approach the magnitude of racial difference in that the genetic differences within an ethnic group are greater than the difference between any two ethnic groups. The characteristic of endogamy is reinforced by proximity, cultural familiarity, and also social pressure (in extreme cases, by legal command) to procreate within the ethnic group.

Types of ethnic group

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In general, two types of ethnic groups have arisen in human history. The earliest form is the kinship-based ethnic group most closely corresponding to the term "tribe". As human populations became more mobile, another type of ethnic group arose, most closely associated with the evolution of the state ("country"), as the opportunity to procreate outside the old kinship systems presented itself. Invasion, migration, and pan-ethnic religions have contributed to a further evolution of new ethnic groups out of the mixture of older ethnic groups. At the same time, ethnic distinction can persist, even within the bounds of a single country as long as members of an ethnic group procreate primarily among themselves, for various reasons.

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Society 'failing to protect' black kids: Shocking murder rates among ethnic minorities are a sign of society... http://tinyurl.com/ylgnmhu
M_Star_Online (Morning Star) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:29:47 -0000
Society 'failing to protect' black kids: Shocking murder rates among ethnic minorities are a sign of society... http://tinyurl.com/ylgnmhu
RT: @NewsBlogsNepal: Ethnic groups in east warn of declaring Limbuwan state: BIRATNAGAR: Around half-a-dozen... http://bit.ly/818rfj
getinnepal (GetInNepal) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:29:22 -0000
RT: @NewsBlogsNepal: Ethnic groups in east warn of declaring Limbuwan state: BIRATNAGAR: Around half-a-dozen... http://bit.ly/818rfj
RT @eliasmakos: I kid you not: Nokia just said Cricket app will help launch with ethnic communities in Canada.
CanadaCricket (Canada Cricket HQ) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:26:09 -0000
RT @eliasmakos: I kid you not: Nokia just said Cricket app will help launch with ethnic communities in Canada.
Ethnic or assimilated? Children of immigrants outline sibling differences. http://bit.ly/5jwtfV #news21 http://bit.ly/8AsAJr
news21 (News21) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:25:31 -0000
Ethnic or assimilated? Children of immigrants outline sibling differences. http://bit.ly/5jwtfV #news21 http://bit.ly/8AsAJr
Ethnic backgrounds. I dont see color when it comes to that i see faces and personality. All im really intrested in is finding compatibilty.
Jayyyylasoul (Josseline Umanzor) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:25:25 -0000
Ethnic backgrounds. I dont see color when it comes to that i see faces and personality. All im really intrested in is finding compatibilty.
@SidCity maybe you should ask @fakeapstylebook about the proper usage of 'ethnic?'
queeneulalia (eulalia) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:24:45 -0000
@SidCity maybe you should ask @fakeapstylebook about the proper usage of 'ethnic?'

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