2. State Ethnic Management and Rising Ethno-Cultural Consciousness
3. Migration and Settlement Patterns
4. The Division of Labour
5. Marketization and the Rise of Ethno-Cultural Consciousness
6. Discussion and Conclusion
In the past few years there has been a rise of inter-ethnic violence in China. While ethno-cultural repression and ineffective state policies are correctly attributed as key culprits behind this reality, this article suggests that socio-economic factors play a fundamental contributory role as well. Using the Xinjiang case, the article maps ethnic tensions and violence as a manifestation and expression of a growing and heighten ethno-cultural consciousness stemming from ethnic minorities’ low socio-economic status due, in part, to internal Han migration, and a labour market process – involving agency and structure – that has shaped a split and segmented labour market.
Hasmath, R. (2019) “What Explains the Rise of Majority-Minority Tensions and Conflict in Xinjiang?”, Central Asian Survey 38(1): 46-60.
Available in French and German:
Qu’est-ce qui explique la montée des tensions et des conflits entre majorités et minorités au Xinjiang?
Wie lässt sich die Zunahme von Spannungen und Konflikten zwischen der Mehrheit und der Minderheit in Xinjiang erklären?