Inter-ethnic relationships in social networks and their effect on resilience of ethnically diverse societies

Abstract

The increasing ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity of many European countries is accompanied by tensions and negative attitudes between groups. Countering these developments requires resilience in ethnic relations. This includes both the majority's willingness to accommodate newcomers and minorities' willingness to socially integrate in the new society. This chapter reviews research showing how insights from social network analysis can be used to promote resilience by reducing ethnic segregation and creating positive inter-ethnic relationships. This work shows the crucial effects of local and larger social network structures in which inter-ethnic contact takes place, on the improvement of intergroup relations, thereby contributing to societal resilieance. Social network analysis also provides new perspectives on social support exchanges between migrants and natives that facilitate the accommodation of newcomers. These insights can be put to the test in network interventions that promote resilience through creating new inter-ethnic ties or spreading positive attitudes through existing networks.