Pluralism and the Politics of Difference: State, Culture, and Ethnicity in Comparative Perspective

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 twentiet…