Minorities, Assimilation and Harassment

We are interested in why minorities are so often at a disadvantage relative to the majority. Efforts made to assimilate, and time, are two elements that work to bring minorities into line with the majority. A third element, the degree to which the majority welcomes the minority, also plays a role. We examine the consequences for assimilation and harassment of growth in the minority population, time, and the role of a political entity. Over time, the assimilated and the non-assimilated members of the minority group exhibit different interests in assimilating and in maintaining their cultural identity, and we discuss how this affects the minority’s position over time. JEL Codes: D74; F230; I20; J61; L140