http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=FT&Date=20061008&ID=6085419
OMG, could it be the KKK was right all along. GASP
A bleak picture of the corrosive effects of ethnic diversity has been revealed in research by Harvard University's Robert Putnam, one of the world's most influential political scientists.
His research shows that the more diverse a community is, the less likely its inhabitants are to trust anyone – from their next-door neighbour to the mayor.
This is a contentious finding in the current climate of concern about the benefits of immigration. Professor Putnam told the Financial Times he had delayed publishing his research until he could develop proposals to compensate for the negative effects of diversity, saying it "would have been irresponsible to publish without that".
The core message of the research was that, "in the presence of diversity, we hunker down", he said. "We act like turtles.
2006-10-10 07:39:45 · 9 answers · asked by Meow the cat 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Of course this study cites Los Angeles, and that is not a real good example for anyone unless they want to be an overtaxed gangbanger.
2006-10-10 07:46:53 · update #1
Actually, I believe he is wrong. In-breeding in dogs leads to everything from hip displeasure to other diseases. There are different diseases which are limited to groups such as blacks, Jews, etc. I have 3 nieces. One is half black. She is the smartest of the three. Going back to dogs, mutts are usually healthier, more congenial, etc. I think the world would be a better place if everyone were "mocha" & tolerant.
2006-10-10 07:49:24 · answer #1 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This study in no way validates the basic assumptions behind racial discrimination. Discrimination comes from perceptions that certain people who look different are necessarily inferior in unseen ways - as well as in the way they fail to conform to physical stereotypes.
But this study was essentially about trust between diverse ethnic or cultural groups. Of course there are problems with trust when one group was raised to perceive signs of trustworthiness in a different way than another group. Or when one culture tolerates a certain level of chicanery that is lower than the level another culture accepts.
Even people of the same racial group show distrust for those that were raised in a different geographical location and environment. Not to pick on any one group, but Filipinos, for example, born and raised in the US, tend to distrust Filipinos born and raised in the Philippines.
Caucasian immigrants to the US over the years have met with extreme distrust by Caucasians already here. In Northern Ireland, religious differences among those of the same blood foment extreme distrust.
The US has benefited from immigration in the long term, regardless of predictable short term difficulties. Those who basically don't want those different races to come here will seize on any study that they can use to justify their prejudice.
This study is not in any way a "scientific" condemnation of diversity. It tells us nothing more ( and a lot less) than a good review and/or understanding of our history should have told us by now.
2006-10-10 15:11:02 · answer #2 · answered by Grist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not when it comes to genetics and biology. When two individuals of a species from different gene pools reproduce with each other, their offspring have a better chance at surviving, and their immune system is considerably stronger. For example, mixed-breed dogs are typically much healthier throughout their lives than purebred dogs.
2006-10-10 14:42:35 · answer #3 · answered by Souris 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hmm. I am not sure what to say after all the years of hearing about the benefits of diversity repeated many times over the years by social institutions.
2006-10-10 14:45:20 · answer #4 · answered by B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Those findings might help fill out your litterbox, but I'm inclined to go with the more broadly-accepted notion that communities benefit from melting-pot societies, as you find in Brazil, Amsterdam, and Atlanta, to name a few. Good food for thought tho, kitty. Thanks for sharing.
2006-10-10 14:49:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a limited and small social study, While it does constitute "science" it does not constitute a correct answer.
2006-10-10 14:46:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
That's just ridiculous.
2006-10-10 14:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by Calee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK let's put this knowledge into effect, GET RID OF THE ILLEGALS!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-10 14:41:13 · answer #8 · answered by getmycountryback 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Welcome to the melting pot.
2006-10-10 14:42:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋