Ethnic Relations In Intcractionist Perspective: A Case of Ethnic Conflict In West Malaysia

By applying the model of negotiated order to a specific case of ethnic conflict in West Malaysia, an attempt is made to draw explicit relationships between ethnic group interests, power and collective definition of ethnic group positions. The focus is on how ethnic group images emerge through the occurence of a “big event” centering on conflicting group interests. It is pointed out that although power differences between ethnic groups are due largely to historical circumstances, they only structure the style of negotiations but not the formation of ethnic images. The process of group definition is contingent upon the manipulation of problematic events and the tactics employed by the groups involved.