Is a plural, polyethnic, democratic society possible? Starting with Ernest Gellner's observation that `culturally plural societies worked well in the past', but `genuine cultural pluralism ceases to be viable under current conditions', this study explores pluralism in three settings; early states, modern industrial societies, and the contemporary `postmodern' world. Through a nuanced discussion ranging from pre-colonial Africa and Mesoamerica, to European and American experiences in the twentieth century, Grillo explores the ways in which different social and political forms cope with ethnic and cultural diversity. The study uncovers a range of different kinds of pluralism, from out-and-out separatism, through varieties of multiculturalism, to looser forms of `hybridity'. Rather than advocating one configuration over another, this important new book outlines the range of choices facing our societies as, moving into the twenty-first century, we try to reconcile the competing demands of universalism and difference.

About the Author
Ralph Grillo is Professor of Social Anthropology in the School of African and Asian Studies, University of Sussex. He was formerly Dean of the School of African and Asian Studies (1988-93), and Director of the Centre for the Comparative Study of Culture, Development & the Environment (1994-7).

Reviews
Ralph Grillo shows himself to be a knowledgeable and adept analyst. ... Grillo the social scientist concludes that ethnic diversification will be an increasing feature of advanced Western societies, while Grillo the normative philosopher seems impressed by the virtues of a form of multiculturalism which he terms hybridity. Grillos book provides a plausible case for both answers. * Andrew Parkin, International Migration Review *
Grillo has written a book that is highly suggestive of the ways that comparative historical analysis could improve our understanding of the relationship between politics, economy and the politicisation of 'difference'. * Mara Loveman, Nations and Nationalism, 5:4 1999 *
excellent text ... a compressed product of a veritable pot-pourri of rich and fairly detailed research materials... * The Ethnic Conflict Research Digest *
thoughtful and timely study ... an important feature of the book is the nuanced discussion of pluralistic systems in precolonial Africa, the Ottoman Empire, and native America. * O Pi-Sunyer, CHOICE Oct 1999 Vol 37 no 2 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198294269
Author R. D. Grillo
Format Hardback
Page Count 284
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 620g
Dimensions(mm) 244mm * 164mm * 20mm