Sociology of Developing Countries - Essay Example

Running head: SOCIOLOGY OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Sociology of Developing Countries Introduction The main ethnically diverse country in the Caribbean region is Trinidad and Tobago. The country has multiple ethnic groups, including the Indians, Africans, Europeans, Chinese as well as other mixed ethnicities. Ethnicity is widely identified in the country as demonstrated by various research findings in sociology, such as Harewood and Camejo besides Harewood (1971) (Coppin & Olsen, 1998). Ethnicity Defined Ethnicity denotes social identification founded on the presupposition of a similar cultural inheritance besides common history.

Notwithstanding, ethnicity can be approached from three major areas namely; the domination, interaction and the isolationist approach (Brumfiel, 2004). Factors Contributing To Ethnic Conflict in Trinidad and Tobago The composition of the labor market in the country is a contributing factor in ethnic conflicts in the country. The White settlers in the country are part of the minority group but they occupy and dominate employment in the preferred job categories. This is a clear demonstration of the racial preference given to certain ethnic groups in the country.

The labor market in the country is inclined towards recruiting co-ethnics for the preferred employment opportunities at the expense of other ethnic groups (Coppin & Olsen, 1998). The human capital earning in Trinidad and Tobago is another contributing factor in the ethnic conflicts in the nation. The Indians and Africans, who constitute the larger ethnic group, form the dominant labor force with a representation of more than 80%. The other ethnic groups, apart from the Africans and Indians, have low income earnings because of their alignment from the labor force.

Coppin and Olsen (1998) state that inhabitants in the country with fair skin color were recruited for employment with low qualifications compared to their counterparts with dark skin color. The socioeconomic status in the country is associated with the marital status and formation. The marital status of people differs by ethnicity and therefore marriage may be a contributing factor in the ethnic conflicts in the country by widening the ethnicity margin (Olsen, 2009). Outside Intervention: Reduce or Increase Ethnic Tensions In Trinidad and Tobago The external interventions may not be necessary for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

This approach may further aggravate the ethnic difference that the country is struggling to bridge. Apprehensions often occur when several ethnic groups stay in close proximity. The approach that the society uses to resolve the differences varies and may make or break it. Trinidad and Tobago has used the internal mechanisms successfully to control and manage the ethnic differences among the communities peacefully. Conflicts and serious tensions have not characterized this developing country because of ethnic differences (Young, 2010).

As a result, the external interventions may not be appropriate for the country and may further increase the gap. The internal mechanisms that the country has taken are working out well.Recommendations of Resolving Ethnic Conflict in Trinidad and Tobago The marital status of the inhabitants of the nation varies by ethnicity. The ethnic differences in Trinidad and Tobago can be minimized or reduced through increasing the marriages between the differing ethnicities in the country (Olsen, 2009). The differences in the levels of education also contribute to the discrimination in the labor force; hence, bridging the gap between the education level in the country would help reduce the ethnicity associated with employment (Coppin & Olsen, 1998).

Conclusion Trinidad and Tobago has varied ethnicities but certain ethnic groups are dominant. The ethnic communities in the country have coexisted peacefully because of the successful internal approach the country has opted in dealing with the problem of ethnicity. The labor market best exemplified the challenge of ethnicity, and mixed ethnic marriage is the widespread approach to curb the issue. ReferencesBrumfiel, E. (2004, January 22). Module 6: What is Ethnicity? Affiliation. Retrieved August 10, 2012, from http://www.indiana.edu/~arch/saa/matrix/aea/aea_06.

htmlCoppin, A., & Olsen, R. N. (1998). Earnings and Ethnicity in Trinidad and Tobago. Journal of Development Studies , 34 (3), 116-134.Olsen, R. N. (2009). Marital status in a developing economy: gender, Ethnicity and family structure. Applied Economics , 41, 151-169.Young, C. (2010, January 13). The Politics Of Cultural Pluralism And Ethnic Conflict. Retrieved August 10, 2012, from http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/0205791239.pdf