De minderheid als sociologische kategorie

Samenvatting

An examination is presented of the term minority as a sociological concept. The term has been used in many and often conflicting ways. It is suggested that a more generally accepted definition would make it more manageable. The influence of numerical relations of groups is studied and minorities are diffentiated from majorities and dominant majorities (dominante). In addition to a numerical dimension, minorities have a sociopsychological basis: they represent crystallizations of opinions. This crystallization implies the dangerous possibility of minorities becoming provincialized. Another danger is presented by the tendency of minorities to self-denial. It is concluded that: (1) the relation between minority and dominante is always founded upon tension; (2) the dominante tends to seek an internal justification; the minority tries direct and pragmatic ways to improve its position; and (3) a satisfactory sociological definition of the dominante-minority relation can be obtained only within a framework of hierarchical collective structures. I. Langnas.