A Comparative Study of Racial and Ethnic Classifications in Censuses

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This is a comparative study of racial/ethnic classifications in censuses of twenty-two nations. The classification of race and ethnic groups is essentially one way of classifying peoples; 'we' and 'others', and must have been considerably flexible and situational. Yet flexible and situational definitions tend to assume fixed and rigid characteristics through historical or institutional procedures. In this comparative study, each member has studied one or two nations' censuses and examined particularly how such censuses divided peoples from the early or colonial period to the present.It was found generally that the racial/ethnic classification was quite different in each nation. Method of taking census has changed from time to time and at present self-declaration seems to be common in many nations. By self-declaration it is meant that persons can choose a racial/ethnic group to identify themselves regardless of their blood quantum and in case of multi-racial/ethnic nations each racial/ethnic group tries to increase its members for competing each other to acquire the limited resources. Consequently, census taking in these cases assumes a political struggle. Besides, a new classification was contrived in some nations: USA Census 2000 permitted a person affiliating to multiple groups and Census 2001 of Great Britain additionally listed a 'mixed' category. Our study has revealed nature of race and ethnicity as social construction more clearly and widely.