Migrant superordination
Migrant superordination is a sociopolitical phenomenon where immigrants exert dominance over the original inhabitants of a territory, leading to the establishment of hierarchical power structures. This process often involves the imposition of the migrants' political, economic, and social systems onto the indigenous population, resulting in a pronounced disparity in power and resources. The significance of migrant superordination is particularly evident in contexts where colonization has occurred, with the United States often cited as a notable example.
The relationships formed through this process can manifest in various ways, including economic exploitation, political disenfranchisement, and cultural marginalization. These dynamics are frequently justified by belief systems that promote the perceived superiority of the immigrant groups over the indigenous communities. The reactions of the original inhabitants to such domination can vary widely, encompassing resistance, rebellion, and strategies of accommodation or assimilation. Historical instances of migrant superordination are illustrated by the European conquests of Indigenous peoples in the Americas and the subjugation of Africans in South Africa. Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing the lasting impacts of migration and colonization on contemporary societies.
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Migrant superordination
DEFINITION: Process through which immigrants use force to overwhelm and subdue the original inhabitants of the territories they settle, often imposing their political, economic, and social structures on the society they overtake.
SIGNIFICANCE: Migrant superordination occurs principally in countries that are colonized by outsiders, and U.S. history provides a classic example of this process.
The superordinate/subordinate relationships that result from migrant superordination processes can take economic, political, and cultural forms. Such relationships are characterized by the institutionalization of dominant-minority relations in which the migrants enjoy disproportionate power, resources, and prestige. Power relationships are then justified by systems of beliefs that rationalize the superiority of the immigrant groups in relation to the indigenous peoples.
Reactions to migrant superordination on the part of the indigenous peoples may range from physical resistance and rebellion to accommodation and assimilation. Historical examples of migrant superordination include the European conquest of Indigenous people in the Western Hemisphere and of Africans in South Africa.
Bibliography
Cook, Terrence E. Separation, Assimilation, or Accommodation: Contrasting Ethnic Minority Policies. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2003.
Lieberson, Stanley. “A Societal Theory of Race and Ethnic Relations.” American Sociological Review, vol. 26, 1961, pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/ethnicity/chapter/a-societal-theory-of-race-and-ethnic-relations/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
“Migration and Ethnic Relations.” Sociology 211, University of Regina, 15 Oct. 2004, uregina.ca/~gingrich/211o1504.htm. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024. Online Course Notes.
Zølner, Mette. Re-Imagining the Nation: Debates on Immigrants, Identities and Memories. New York: Peter Lang, 2000.