Editing Irredentism (section)

=== Ethnicity ===
Ethnicity plays a central role in irredentism since most irredentist states justify their [[expansionist]] agenda based on shared ethnicity. In this regard, the goal of unifying parts of an ethnic group in a common nation-state is used as a justification for annexing foreign territories and going to war if the neighboring state resists.{{sfn|Lagasse|Goldman|Hobson|Norton|2020|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/irredentism Irredentism]}}{{sfn|White|Millett|2019|p=419}}{{sfn|Ambrosio|2011|pp=1346–1348|loc=irredentism}} Ethnicity is a grouping of people according to a set of shared attributes and similarities. It divides people into groups based on attributes like physical features, customs, [[tradition]], historical background, [[language]], [[culture]], [[religion]], and values.{{sfn|Chandra|2012|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=UPNQEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA64 64, 69–70]}}{{sfn|Richardson-Bouie|2003|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ethnic-variationethnicity Ethnic Variation/Ethnicity]}}{{sfn|Law|2008|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}} Not all these factors are equally relevant for every ethnic group. For some groups, one factor may predominate, as in [[ethno-linguistic]], ethno-racial, and [[ethno-religious]] identities. In most cases, ethnic identities are based on a set of common features.{{sfn|Alba|1992|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}}{{sfn|Taras|Ganguly|2015|loc=1. Ethnic Conflict on the World Stage: Definitions}}

A central aspect of many ethnic identities is that all members share a common homeland or place of origin. This place of origin does not have to correspond to the area where the majority of the ethnic group currently lives in case they migrated from their homeland. Another feature is a common language or [[dialect]]. In many cases, religion also forms a vital aspect of ethnicity. Shared culture is another significant factor. It is a wide term and can include characteristic social institutions, diet, dress, and other practices. It is often difficult to draw clear boundaries between people based on their ethnicity.{{sfn|Law|2008|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}} For this reason, some definitions focus less on actual objective features and stress instead that what unites an ethnic group is a subjective belief that such common features exist. In this view, the common belief matters more than the extent to which those shared features actually exist.{{sfn|Law|2008|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}}{{sfn|Alba|1992|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}} Examples of large ethnic groups are the [[Han Chinese]], the [[Arabs]], the [[Bengalis]], the [[Punjabis]], and the [[Turkish people|Turks]].{{sfn|Law|2008|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}}{{sfn|Radstone|Wilson|2020}}

Some theorists, like [[sociologist]] John Milton Yinger, use terms like ''ethnic group'' or ''ethnicity'' as near-synonyms for ''nation''.{{sfn|Yinger|1994|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZVpBivDW8eYC&pg=PA11 11]}} Nations are usually based on ethnicity but what sets them apart from ethnicity is their political form as a state or a state-like entity. The physical and visible aspects of ethnicity, such as skin color and facial features, are often referred to as [[Race (human categorization)|race]], which may thus be understood as a subset of ethnicity.{{sfn|Law|2008|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}} However, some theorists, like sociologist Pierre van den Berghe, contrast the two by restricting ethnicity to cultural traits and race to physical traits.{{sfn|Alba|1992|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}}

Ethnic solidarity can provide a sense of belonging as well as physical and mental security. It can help people identify with a common purpose.{{sfn|Law|2008|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}} However, ethnicity has also been the source of many conflicts. It has been responsible for various forms of [[mass violence]], including [[ethnic cleansing]] and [[genocide]]. The perpetrators usually form part of the ruling majority and target ethnic minority groups.{{sfn|Law|2008|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}}{{sfn|Sherrer|2005}} Not all ethnic-based conflicts involve mass violence, like many forms of [[ethnic discrimination]].{{sfn|Law|2008|loc=[https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/ethnicity Ethnicity]}}