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Abstract
This chapter examines the problem of xenophobia from a sociological perspective. The chapter discusses the problematique of xenophobia as a subject of study and includes an assessment of the incidence/prevalence of xenophobia in contemporary society, as well as indicators of xenophobia. The chapter also provides historical illustrations of incidences of xenophobia and includes an explanation for the persistence of xenophobia in contemporary society, in spite of the promises of globalization. The chapter concludes with suggestions on the control of xenophobia in contemporary society. The chapter draws from African and Nigerian experiences to illustrate the problem of xenophobia.
Key Terms: Cultural relativity, Discrimination, Ethnicity, Ethnocentrism, Institutional xenophobia, Islamaphobia, Prejudice, Racism, Scapegoat, Stereotype/Stereotyping, Xenocentrism, Xenophobia
Introduction
Xenophobia
Now, what is "xenophobia"? The term "xenophobia" has been defined in various ways by scholars, with all the definitions indicating that xenophobia is an undue or excessive fear, hatred or dislike of strangers or foreigners (usually new immigrants). The concept is believed to have originated from two Greek words: xenos (meaning foreigner or stranger) and phobos (meaning fear). This explains the simple definition of the concept as the fear of strangers. However, it is not only strangers, new immigrants or foreigners that may suffer xenophobia. Xenophobia may also be targeted at people or groups of people who are not "strangers", but who may be long-term immigrants and who may have been living with and interacting with the dominant group that is expressing xenophobia for some time. In this context, therefore, the term "strangers" may be used to refer to people who are not indigenes or original residents/occupiers of a particular location or people who are significantly different from the dominant or main group or population. The key issue is that they are not considered to be "sons of the soil" or "bonafide" members.
The distinction between the "locals" or "indigenes" on the one hand and the "foreigners" on the other hand can be conceptualized in terms of the "in-group" (the locals or indigenes) and the "out-group" (the foreigners).
An in-group (also described as a "we-group") is one to which individuals belong, while an out-group (also described as a "they-group") is one to which individuals do not belong. There is usually a sharp distinction between members and non-members. Members...